Institution of Engineering and Technology eBooks
Governing equations
Alireza R. Baghai-Wadji
Abstract
This chapter outlines the governing equations in non-relativistic quantum physics. The Schrödinger equation (the Schrödinger picture) looms large. Its intuitive simplicity and elegance render it particularly appealing to aspiring engineers and materials scientists. The other two equivalent pictures presented are the Heisenberg picture and the interaction picture. The Heisenberg picture emphasizes time-dependent operators, and the interaction picture splits the so-called interaction Hamiltonian from the total Hamiltonian of the system considered. Much attention has been paid in this chapter to establish relationships between the pictures, as meaningful as possible at this level of treatment.