noun
Meaning 1
A vector whose components are Pauli matrices; e.g., ⃑σ=σ1̂i+σ2̂j+σ3̂k.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: mathematics, sciences
Examples
- The eigenvectors of the first Pauli matrix "encode" — as it were — the +X and −X directions. Likewise, the eigenvectors of the second Pauli matrix "encode" the +Y and −Y directions and those of the third Pauli matrix, the +Z and −Z directions. The dot product of the Pauli vector with any unit vector ⃑N yields a matrix which likewise has eigenvalues +1 and −1 and a pair of eigenvectors; the eigenvector with positive eigenvalue "encodes" the +N direction and the eigenvector with negative eigenvalue "encodes" the −N direction. The dot product of any two such "encoded" directions yields the probability amplitude that the spin of an electron prepared in the first direction will collapse to the second direction when measured along that second direction.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided