Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:quant-ph/0502053 · European Journal of Physics

The role of the rigged Hilbert space in quantum mechanics

Rafael de la Madrid

Published Feb 17, 2005• 200 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

There is compelling evidence that, when a continuous spectrum is present, the natural mathematical setting for quantum mechanics is the rigged Hilbert space rather than just the Hilbert space. In particular, Dirac's bra-ket formalism is fully implemented by the rigged Hilbert space rather than just by the Hilbert space. In this paper, we provide a pedestrian introduction to the role the rigged Hilbert space plays in quantum mechanics, by way of a simple, exactly solvable example. The procedure will be constructive and based on a recent publication. We also provide a thorough discussion on the physical significance of the rigged Hilbert space.

DOI
10.1088/0143-0807/26/2/008

Related papers

The role of the rigged Hilbert space in Quantum Mechanics

Abstract. There is compelling evidence that, when continuous spectrum is present, the natural mathematical setting for Quantum Mechanics is the rigged Hilbert space rather than just the Hilbert space. In particular, Dirac’s bra-ket formalism is fully implemented by the rigged Hilbert space rather than just by the Hilbert space. In this paper, we provide a pedestrian introduction to the role the rigged Hilbert space plays in Quantum Mechanics, by way of a simple, exactly solvable example. The procedure will be constructive and based on a recent publication. We also provide a thorough discussion on the physical significance of the rigged Hilbert space. PACS numbers: 03.65.-w, 02.30.HqThe RHS in Quantum Mechanics 2 1.

•Jan 1, 2005•110 citations

The Dirac Bra and Ket Formalism

J. E. Roberts

The place of the Dirac formalism in quantum theory is investigated using rigged Hilbert spaces. Emphasis is laid on the representation of observables by continuous linear operators and on the existence of sufficient eigenkets. Using the concept of labeled observables, a canonical procedure is given for constructing a rigged Hilbert space and the bra and ket spaces are constructed for nonrelativistic quantum systems of n interacting particles. Spectral theory is investigated in this framework and the results are compared with the Dirac formalism.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Jun 1, 1966•120 citations

Rigged Hilbert Space Treatment of Continuous Spectrum

Rafael de la Madrid, Arno Böhm, Manuel Gadella

The ability of the Rigged Hilbert Space formalism to deal with continuous spectrum is demonstrated within the example of the square barrier potential. The non-square integrable solutions of the time-independent Schrödinger equation are used to define Dirac kets, which are (generalized) eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian. These Dirac kets are antilinear functionals over the space of physical wave functions. They are also basis vectors that expand any physical wave function in a Dirac basis vector expansion. It is shown that an acceptable physical wave function must fulfill stronger conditions than just square integrability — the space of physical wave function is not the whole Hilbert space but rather a dense subspace of the Hilbert space. We construct the position and energy representations of the Rigged Hilbert Space generated by the square barrier potential Hamiltonian. We shall also construct the unitary operator that transforms from the position into the energy representation. We shall see that in the energy representation the Dirac kets act as the antilinear Schwartz delta functional. In constructing the Rigged Hilbert Space of the square barrier potential, we will find a systematic procedure to construct the Rigged Hilbert Space of a large class of spherically symmetric potentials. The example of the square barrier potential will also make apparent that the natural framework for the solutions of a Schrödinger operator with continuous spectrum is the Rigged Hilbert Space rather than just the Hilbert space.

arXiv:quant-ph/0109154•Fortschritte der Physik•Mar 1, 2002•44 citations

Quantum Mechanics and Its Evolving Formulations

Jean-Pierre Antoine

In this paper, we discuss the time evolution of the quantum mechanics formalism. Starting from the heroic beginnings of Heisenberg and Schrödinger, we cover successively the rigorous Hilbert space formulation of von Neumann, the practical bra-ket formalism of Dirac, and the more recent rigged Hilbert space approach.

Entropy•Jan 19, 2021•9 citations

Dirac Formalism and Symmetry Problems in Quantum Mechanics. I. General Dirac Formalism

Jean-Pierre Antoine

Dirac's bra and ket formalism is investigated and incorporated into a complete mathematical theory. First the axiomatic foundations of quantum mechanics and von Neumann's spectral theory of observables are reviewed and several inadequacies are pointed out. These defects then are remedied by extending the usual Hilbert space to a rigged Hilbert space as introduced by Gel'fand, i.e., a triplet Φ⊂H⊂Φ′ where H is a Hilbert space, Φ a dense subspace of H provided with a new (finer) topology, Φ′ the dual of Φ. It is shown that this mathematical structure, together with the Schwartz nuclear theorem, allows us to reproduce Dirac's formalism in a completely rigorous way, without losing its transparency; this makes the theory easier to handle. The temporal evolution of the system and the wave equation are considered. Finally the probabilistic interpretation and the physical aspects of the theory are discussed; Φ is identified with the set of all physically accessible states of the system, Φ′ with the set of all possible experiments (apparatus) to which it can be subjected; this provides a direct connection with Feynman's formulation of quantum mechanics.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•Jan 1, 1969•148 citations

Rigged Hilbert Space Approach to the Schrödinger Equation

It is shown that the natural framework for the solutions of any Schrödinger equation whose spectrum has a continuous part is the Rigged Hilbert Space rather than just the Hilbert space. The difficulties of using only the Hilbert space to handle unbounded Schrödinger Hamiltonians whose spectrum has a continuous part are disclosed. Those difficulties are overcome by using an appropriate Rigged Hilbert Space (RHS). The RHS is able to associate an eigenket to each energy in the spectrum of the Hamiltonian, regardless of whether the energy belongs to the discrete or to the continuous part of the spectrum. The collection of eigenkets corresponding to both discrete and continuous spectra forms a basis system that can be used to expand any physical wave function. Thus the RHS treats discrete energies (discrete spectrum) and scattering energies (continuous spectrum) on the same footing. Typeset using REVTEX 1

•Jan 1, 2001•25 citations
There is compelling evidence that, when a continuous spectrum is present, the natural mathematical setting for quantum mechanics is the rigged Hilbert space rather than just the Hilbert space. In particular, Dirac's bra-ket formalism is fully implemented by the rigged Hilbert space rather than just by the Hilbert space. In this paper, we provide a pedestrian introduction to the role the rigged Hilbert space plays in quantum mechanics, by way of a simple, exactly solvable example. The procedure will be constructive and based on a recent publication. We also provide a thorough discussion on the physical significance of the rigged Hilbert space.
Abstract. There is compelling evidence that, when continuous spectrum is present, the natural mathematical setting for Quantum Mechanics is the rigged Hilbert space rather than just the Hilbert space. In particular, Dirac’s bra-ket formalism is fully implemented by the rigged Hilbert space rather than just by the Hilbert space. In this paper, we provide a pedestrian introduction to the role the rigged Hilbert space plays in Quantum Mechanics, by way of a simple, exactly solvable example. The procedure will be constructive and based on a recent publication. We also provide a thorough discussion on the physical significance of the rigged Hilbert space. PACS numbers: 03.65.-w, 02.30.HqThe RHS in Quantum Mechanics 2 1.
The place of the Dirac formalism in quantum theory is investigated using rigged Hilbert spaces. Emphasis is laid on the representation of observables by continuous linear operators and on the existence of sufficient eigenkets. Using the concept of labeled observables, a canonical procedure is given for constructing a rigged Hilbert space and the bra and ket spaces are constructed for nonrelativistic quantum systems of n interacting particles. Spectral theory is investigated in this framework and the results are compared with the Dirac formalism.
The ability of the Rigged Hilbert Space formalism to deal with continuous spectrum is demonstrated within the example of the square barrier potential. The non-square integrable solutions of the time-independent Schrödinger equation are used to define Dirac kets, which are (generalized) eigenvectors of the Hamiltonian. These Dirac kets are antilinear functionals over the space of physical wave functions. They are also basis vectors that expand any physical wave function in a Dirac basis vector expansion. It is shown that an acceptable physical wave function must fulfill stronger conditions than just square integrability — the space of physical wave function is not the whole Hilbert space but rather a dense subspace of the Hilbert space. We construct the position and energy representations of the Rigged Hilbert Space generated by the square barrier potential Hamiltonian. We shall also construct the unitary operator that transforms from the position into the energy representation. We shall see that in the energy representation the Dirac kets act as the antilinear Schwartz delta functional. In constructing the Rigged Hilbert Space of the square barrier potential, we will find a systematic procedure to construct the Rigged Hilbert Space of a large class of spherically symmetric potentials. The example of the square barrier potential will also make apparent that the natural framework for the solutions of a Schrödinger operator with continuous spectrum is the Rigged Hilbert Space rather than just the Hilbert space.
Dirac's bra and ket formalism is investigated and incorporated into a complete mathematical theory. First the axiomatic foundations of quantum mechanics and von Neumann's spectral theory of observables are reviewed and several inadequacies are pointed out. These defects then are remedied by extending the usual Hilbert space to a rigged Hilbert space as introduced by Gel'fand, i.e., a triplet Φ⊂H⊂Φ′ where H is a Hilbert space, Φ a dense subspace of H provided with a new (finer) topology, Φ′ the dual of Φ. It is shown that this mathematical structure, together with the Schwartz nuclear theorem, allows us to reproduce Dirac's formalism in a completely rigorous way, without losing its transparency; this makes the theory easier to handle. The temporal evolution of the system and the wave equation are considered. Finally the probabilistic interpretation and the physical aspects of the theory are discussed; Φ is identified with the set of all physically accessible states of the system, Φ′ with the set of all possible experiments (apparatus) to which it can be subjected; this provides a direct connection with Feynman's formulation of quantum mechanics.
It is shown that the natural framework for the solutions of any Schrödinger equation whose spectrum has a continuous part is the Rigged Hilbert Space rather than just the Hilbert space. The difficulties of using only the Hilbert space to handle unbounded Schrödinger Hamiltonians whose spectrum has a continuous part are disclosed. Those difficulties are overcome by using an appropriate Rigged Hilbert Space (RHS). The RHS is able to associate an eigenket to each energy in the spectrum of the Hamiltonian, regardless of whether the energy belongs to the discrete or to the continuous part of the spectrum. The collection of eigenkets corresponding to both discrete and continuous spectra forms a basis system that can be used to expand any physical wave function. Thus the RHS treats discrete energies (discrete spectrum) and scattering energies (continuous spectrum) on the same footing. Typeset using REVTEX 1