Matrix element (physics)

This article does not cite any sources. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (November 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

In physics, particularly in quantum perturbation theory, the matrix element refers to the linear operator of a modified Hamiltonian using Dirac notation.

The matrix element considers the effect of the newly modified Hamiltonian (i.e. the linear superposition of the unperturbed Hamiltonian plus interaction potential) on the quantum state.

Matrix elements are important in atomic, nuclear and particle physics.

See also[]

• Fermi's golden rule

This quantum mechanics-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

• v
• t