• DOI:10.1088/0034-4885/63/12/201
• Corpus ID: 10854218

Mathematical surprises and Dirac's formalism in quantum mechanics

@article{Gieres1999MathematicalSA,
  title={Mathematical surprises and Dirac's formalism in quantum mechanics},
  author={François Gieres},
  journal={Reports on Progress in Physics},
  year={1999},
  volume={63},
  pages={1893-1931}
}

• F. Gieres
• Published 22 July 1999
• Physics
• Reports on Progress in Physics

By a series of simple examples, we illustrate how the lack of mathematical concern can readily lead to surprising mathematical contradictions in wave mechanics. The basic mathematical notions allowing for a precise formulation of the theory are then summarized and it is shown how they lead to an elucidation and deeper understanding of the aforementioned problems. After stressing the equivalence between wave mechanics and the other formulations of quantum mechanics, i.e. matrix mechanics and Dirac's abstract Hilbert space formulation, we devote the second part of our paper to the latter approach: we discuss the problems and shortcomings of this formalism as well as those of the bra and ket notation introduced by Dirac in this context. In conclusion, we indicate how all of these problems can be solved or at least avoided. Dedicated to the memory of Tanguy Altherr (1963-94). I dedicate these notes to the memory of Tanguy Altherr who left us very unexpectedly in the mountains which he loved so much (and where I had some pleasant trips with him). As to the subject of these notes (which I had the pleasure to discuss with him), Tanguy greatly appreciated Dirac's formalism and certainly knew how to apply it to real physical problems (such as the ones he worked on with an impressive enthusiasm, energy and productivity). Even if he did not share my preoccupations in this field, he liked to discuss the problems related to the general formalism of quantum physics.