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| [[File:Hydrogen eigenstate n5 l2 m1.png|thumb| | |
| A [[wave function]] for a single [[electron]] on 5d [[atomic orbital]] of a [[hydrogen atom]]. The solid body shows the places where the electron's [[probability density function|probability density]] is above a certain value (here 0.02 [[nanometre|nm]]<sup>−3</sup>): this is calculated from the probability amplitude. The [[hue]] on the colored surface shows the [[argument (complex analysis)|complex phase]] of the wave function.]]
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| In [[quantum mechanics]], a '''probability amplitude''' is a [[complex number]] used in describing the behaviour of systems. The [[absolute value|modulus]] [[square (algebra)|squared]] of this quantity represents a [[probability]] or [[probability density function|probability density]].
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| Probability amplitudes provide a physical meaning of the [[wave function]] (or, more general, of a [[quantum state]] vector), a link first proposed by [[Max Born]]. Interpretation of values of a wave function as the probability amplitude is a pillar of the [[Copenhagen interpretation]] of quantum mechanics. In fact, the properties of the space of wave functions were being used to make physical predictions (such as [[atomic emission spectroscopy|emissions from atoms]] being at certain discrete energies) before any physical interpretation of a particular function was offered. Born was awarded half of the 1954 [[Nobel Prize in Physics]] for this understanding (see [[#References]]), and the probability thus calculated is sometimes called the "Born probability". These probabilistic concepts, namely the probability density and [[quantum measurement]]s, were vigorously contested at the time by the original physicists working on the theory, such as [[Erwin Schrödinger|Schrödinger]]{{clarification needed|reason=Apparently until 1950, but later Schrödinger leaned towards Copenhagen unlike Einstein.|date=January 2014}} and [[Albert Einstein|Einstein]]. It is the source of the mysterious consequences and philosophical difficulties in the [[interpretations of quantum mechanics]]—topics that continue to be debated even today.
| | My web site clash of clans cheats [[http://circuspartypanama.com Full Survey]] |
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| ==Overview==
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| {{main|Born rule}}
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| ===Physical===
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| Neglecting some technical complexities, the problem of [[quantum measurement]] is the behaviour of a quantum state, for which the value of the [[observable]] {{mvar|Q}} to be measured is [[uncertainty principle|uncertain]]. Such state is thought to be a [[quantum superposition|coherent superposition]] of the observable's ''[[eigenstate]]s'', states on which the value of the observable is uniquely defined, for different possible values of the observable.
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| When a measurement of {{mvar|Q}} is made, the system [[state vector reduction|jumps to one of the eigenstates]], returning the eigenvalue to which the state belongs. The superposition of states can give them unequal [[weight function|"weights"]]. Intuitively it is clear that eigenstates with heavier "weights" are more "likely" to be produced. Indeed, which of the above eigenstates the system jumps to is given by a probabilistic law: the probability of the system jumping to the state is proportional to the absolute value of the [[linear combination|corresponding numerical factor]] squared. These numerical factors are called probability amplitudes, and this relationship used to calculate probabilities from given pure quantum states (such as wave functions) is called the [[Born rule]].
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| Different observables may define incompatible decompositions of states. Observables that [[commutator|do not commute]] define probability amplitudes on different sets.
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| ===Mathematical===
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| <!-- Note: Ψψ are encoded in named entities because they are nearly homoglyphic (although with different vertical position) in some fonts, so one can easily made a mistake during editing. -->
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| In a formal setup, any [[quantum system|system in quantum mechanics]] is described by a state, which is a [[vector space|vector]] {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}}, residing in an abstract [[complex number|complex]] vector space, called a [[Hilbert space]]. It may be either infinite- of finite-[[dimension (vector space)|dimensional]]. A usual presentation of that Hilbert space is a special [[function space]], called [[L2 space|{{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}}]], on certain set {{mvar|X}}, that is either some [[configuration space]] or a discrete set.
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| For a [[measurable function]] {{mvar|ψ}}, the condition <math>\psi \in L^2(X)</math> reads:
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| : <math>\int\limits_X |\psi(x)|^2 d\mu(x) < \infty ;</math>
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| this [[integral]] defines the square of the [[normed vector space|norm]] of {{mvar|ψ}}. If that norm is equal to {{num|1}}, then
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| : <math>\int\limits_X |\psi(x)|^2 d\mu(x) = 1.</math>
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| It actually means that any element of {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}} of the norm 1 defines a [[probability measure]] on {{mvar|X}} and a non-negative [[real number|real]] expression {{math|{{abs|''ψ''(''x'')}}<sup>2</sup>}} defines its [[Radon–Nikodym derivative]] with respect to the standard measure {{mvar|μ}}.
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| {{anchor|atomic}}If the standard measure {{mvar|μ}} on {{mvar|X}} is [[non-atomic measure|non-atomic]], such as the [[Lebesgue measure]] on the [[real line]], or on [[three-dimensional space]], or similar measures on [[manifold]]s, then a [[real-valued function]] {{math|{{abs|''ψ''(''x'')}}<sup>2</sup>}} is called a ''probability density''; see details [[#Wave functions and probabilities|below]]. If the standard measure on {{mvar|X}} consists of [[atom (measure theory)|atoms]] only (we shall call such sets {{mvar|X}} ''discrete''), and specifies the measure of any {{math|''x'' ∈ ''X''}} equal to {{num|1}},<ref>The case of an atomic measure on {{mvar|X}} with {{math|''μ''({''x''}) ≠ 1}} is not interesting, because such {{mvar|x}} that {{math|1=''μ''({''x''}) = 0}} are unused by {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}} and can be dropped, whereas for {{mvar|x}} of positive measures the value of {{math|''μ''({''x''})}} is virtually the question of rescaling of {{math|''ψ''(''x'')}}. Due to this trivial fix this case was hardly ever considered by physicists.</ref> then an integral over {{mvar|X}} is simply a [[summation|sum]]<ref>If {{mvar|X}} is [[countable set|countable]], then an integral is the sum of an [[infinite series]].</ref> and {{math|{{abs|''ψ''(''x'')}}<sup>2</sup>}} defines the value of the probability measure on the set {{math|{''x''}}}, in other words, the [[probability]] that the quantum system is in the state {{mvar|x}}. How amplitudes and the vector are related can be understood with the [[standard basis]] of {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}}, elements of which will be denoted by {{math|{{ket|''x''}}}} or {{math|{{bra|''x''}}}} (see [[bra–ket notation]] for the angle bracket notation). In this basis
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| :<math> \psi (x) = \langle x|\Psi \rangle</math>
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| specifies the coordinate presentation of an abstract vector {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}}.
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| Mathematically, many {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>}} presentations of the system's Hilbert space can exist. We shall consider not an arbitrary one, but a {{visible anchor|convenient}} one for the observable {{mvar|Q}} in question. A convenient configuration space {{mvar|X}} is such that each its point {{mvar|x}} produces some unique value of {{mvar|Q}}. For discrete {{mvar|X}} it means that all elements of the standard basis are [[eigenvector]]s of {{mvar|Q}}. In other words, {{mvar|Q}} shall be [[diagonal matrix|diagonal]] in that basis. Then <math> \psi (x)</math> is the "probability amplitude" for the eigenstate {{math|{{bra|''x''}}}}. If it corresponds to a non-[[degenerate energy levels|degenerate]] eigenvalue of {{mvar|Q}}, then <math> |\psi (x)|^2</math> gives the probability of the corresponding value of {{mvar|Q}} for the initial state {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}}.
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| For non-discrete {{mvar|X}} there may not be such states as {{math|{{bra|''x''}}}} in {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}}, but the decomposition is in some sense possible; see [[spectral theory]] and [[self-adjoint operator #Spectral theorem]] for accurate explanation.
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| ==Wave functions and probabilities==<!-- caution: an internal #-link -->
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| If the configuration space {{mvar|X}} is continuous (something like the [[real line]] or Euclidean space, see [[#atomic|above]]), then there are no valid quantum states corresponding to particular {{math|''x'' ∈ ''X''}}, and the probability that the system is "in the state {{mvar|x}}" will always [[almost never|be zero]]. An archetypical example of this is the {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>('''R''')}} space constructed with 1-dimensional [[Lebesgue measure]]; it is used to study a motion in [[one-dimensional space|one dimension]]. This presentation of the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space corresponds to the spectral decomposition of the [[position operator|coordinate operator]]: {{math|1={{langle}}''x'' [[operator (physics)|{{!}} ''Q'' {{!}}]] Ψ{{rangle}} = ''x''⋅{{bra-ket|''x'' | Ψ}}, ''x'' ∈ '''R'''}} in this example. Although there are no such vectors as {{math|{{bra|''x'' }}}}, strictly speaking, the expression {{math|{{bra-ket|''x'' | Ψ}}}} can be made meaningful, for instance, with spectral theory.
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| Generally, it is the case when the [[motion (physics)|motion]] of a particle is described [[position and momentum space|in the position space]], where the corresponding probability amplitude function {{mvar|ψ}} is the [[wave function]].
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| If the function {{math|''ψ'' ∈ ''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X''), ‖''ψ''‖ {{=}} 1}} represents the [[quantum state]] vector {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}}, then the real expression {{math|{{abs|''ψ''(''x'')}}<sup>2</sup>}}, that depends on {{mvar|x}}, forms a [[probability density function]] of the given state. The difference of a ''density function'' from simply a numerical probability means that one should integrate this modulus-squared function over some (small) domains in {{mvar|X}} to obtain probability values – as was stated above, the system can't be in some state {{mvar|x}} with a positive probability. It gives to both amplitude and density function a [[dimension of a physical quantity|physical dimension]], unlike a dimensionless probability. For example, for a [[three-dimensional space|3-dimensional]] wave function the amplitude has a "bizarre" dimension [L<sup>−3/2</sup>].
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| Note that for both continuous and infinite discrete cases not ''every'' measurable, or even [[smooth function]] (i.e. a possible wave function) defines an element of {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}}; see [[#Normalisation]] below.
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| ==Discrete amplitudes==
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| When the set {{mvar|X}} is discrete (see [[#atomic|above]]), vectors {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}} represented with the Hilbert space {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}} are just [[column vector]]s composed of "amplitudes" and [[indexed family|indexed]] by {{mvar|X}}.
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| <!--
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| Should {{mvar|X}} in this case be called a “configuration space”?
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| --Incnis Mrsi -->
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| These are sometimes referred to as wave functions of a discrete variable {{math|''x'' ∈ ''X''}}. Discrete dynamical variables are used in such problems as a [[Particle in a box|particle in an idealized reflective box]] and [[quantum harmonic oscillator]]. Components of the vector will be denoted by {{math|''ψ''(''x'')}} for uniformity with the previous case; there may be either finite of infinite number of components depending on the Hilbert space.
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| In this case, if the vector {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}} has the norm 1, then {{math|{{abs|''ψ''(''x'')}}<sup>2</sup>}} is just the probability that the quantum system resides in the state {{mvar|x}}. It defines a [[discrete probability distribution]] on {{mvar|X}}.
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| {{math|1={{abs|''ψ''(''x'')}} = 1}} if and only if {{math|{{ket|''x''}}}} is [[ray (quantum theory)|the same quantum state]] as {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}}. {{math|1=''ψ''(''x'') = 0}} if and only if {{math|{{ket|''x''}}}} and {{math|{{ket|Ψ}}}} are orthogonal (see [[inner product space]]). Otherwise the modulus of {{math|''ψ''(''x'')}} is between 0 and 1.
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| A discrete probability amplitude may be considered as a [[fundamental frequency]]{{citation needed|date=January 2014}} in the Probability Frequency domain ([[spherical harmonics]]) for the purposes of simplifying [[M-theory]] transformation calculations.
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| ==A basic example==
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| {{multiple image
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| | left
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| | footer = Components of complex vectors plotted against index number; discrete {{mvar|k}} and continuous {{mvar|x}}. Two particular probability amplitudes out of infinitely many are highlighted.
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| | width1 = 225
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| | image1 = Discrete complex vector components.svg
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| | caption1 = Discrete components {{math|''A''<sub>''k''</sub>}} of a complex vector {{math|1={{ket|''A''}} = ∑<sub>''k''</sub> ''A''<sub>''k''</sub>{{ket|''e<sub>k</sub>''}}}}.
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| | width2 = 230
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| | image2 = Continuous complex vector components.svg
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| | caption2 = Continuous components {{math|''ψ''(''x'')}} of a complex vector {{math|1={{ket|''ψ''}} = ∫''dx'' ''ψ''(''x''){{ket|''x''}}}}.
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| }}
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| Take the simplest meaningful example of the discrete case: a quantum system that can be in [[two-state quantum system|two possible states]]: for example, the [[light polarization|polarisation]] of a [[photon]]. When the polarisation is measured, it could be the horizontal state {{math|{{ket| ''H'' }}}}, or the vertical state {{math|{{ket| ''V'' }}}}. Until its polarisation is measured the photon can be in a [[Quantum superposition|superposition]] of both these states, so its state {{math|[[ket vector|{{ket|''ψ''}}]]}} could be written as:
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| :<math>| \psi \rangle = \alpha |H \rangle + \beta |V\rangle,\,</math>
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| The probability amplitudes of {{math|{{ket|''ψ''}}}} for the states {{math|{{ket| ''H'' }}}} and {{math|{{ket| ''V'' }}}} are {{mvar|α}} and {{mvar|β}} respectively. When the photon's polarisation is measured, the resulting state is either horizontal or vertical. But in a random experiment, the probability of being horizontally polarised is {{math|''α''<sup>2</sup>}}, and the probability of being vertically polarised is {{math|''β''<sup>2</sup>}}.
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| Therefore, a photon in a state <math>| \psi \rangle = \sqrt{1\over 3} |H\rangle - i \sqrt{2\over 3}|V \rangle,</math> whose polarisation was measured. It would have a probability of 1/3 to come out horizontally polarised, and a probability of 2/3 to come out vertically polarised, on measurement, when an [[statistical ensemble (mathematical physics)|ensemble]] of measurements are made. The order of such results, is, however, completely random.
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| ==Normalisation==<!-- caution: an internal #-link -->
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| {{Expand-section|explain the link between normalisation and the [[conditional probability]]|small=no|date=January 2014}}
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| In the example above, the measurement must give either {{math|{{ket| ''H'' }}}} or {{math|{{ket| ''V'' }}}}, so the total probability of measuring {{math|{{ket| ''H'' }}}} or {{math|{{ket| ''V'' }}}} must be 1. This leads to a constraint that {{math|1=''α''<sup>2</sup> + ''β''<sup>2</sup> = 1}}; more generally '''the sum of the squared moduli of the probability amplitudes of all the possible states is equal to one'''. If to understand "all the possible states" as an [[orthonormal basis]], that makes sense in the discrete case, then this condition is the same as the norm-1 condition explained [[#Mathematical|above]].
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| One can always divide any non-zero element of a Hilbert space by its norm and obtain a ''normalized'' state vector. Not every wave function belongs to the Hilbert space {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X'')}}, though. Wave functions that fulfill this constraint are called [[normalizable wave function|normalizable]].
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| The [[Schrödinger wave equation]], describing states of quantum particles, has solutions that describe a system and determine precisely how the state [[time evolution operator|changes with time]]. Suppose a [[wavefunction]] {{math|''ψ''<sub>0</sub>('''x''', ''t'')}} is a solution of the wave equation, giving a description of the particle (position {{math|'''x'''}}, for time {{math|''t''}}). If the wavefunction is [[square integrable]], ''i.e.''
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| :<math>\int_{\mathbf R^n} |\psi_0(\mathbf x, t_0)|^2\, \mathrm{d\mathbf x} = a^2 < \infty</math>
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| for some {{math|''t''<sub>0</sub>}}, then {{math|''ψ'' {{=}} ''ψ''<sub>0</sub>/''a''}} is called the [[normalized wavefunction]]. Under the standard [[Copenhagen interpretation]], the normalized wavefunction gives probability amplitudes for the position of the particle. Hence, at a given time {{math|''t''<sub>0</sub>}}, {{math|''ρ''('''x''') {{=}} {{abs|''ψ''('''x''', ''t''<sub>0</sub>)}}<sup>2</sup>}} is the [[probability density function]] of the particle's position. Thus the probability that the particle is in the volume {{math|''V''}} at {{math|''t''<sub>0</sub>}} is
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| :<math>\mathbf{P}(V)=\int_V \rho(\mathbf {x})\, \mathrm{d\mathbf {x}} = \int_V |\psi(\mathbf {x}, t_0)|^2\, \mathrm{d\mathbf {x}}.</math>
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| Note that if any solution {{math|''ψ''<sub>0</sub>}} to the wave equation is normalisable at some time {{math|''t''<sub>0</sub>}}, then the {{mvar|ψ}} defined above is always normalised, so that
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| :<math>\rho_t(\mathbf x)=\left |\psi(\mathbf x, t)\right |^2 = \left|\frac{\psi_0(\mathbf x, t)}{a}\right|^2</math>
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| is always a probability density function for all {{math|''t''}}. This is key to understanding the importance of this interpretation, because for a given the particle's constant [[mass]], initial {{math|''ψ''('''x''', 0)}} and the [[potential energy|potential]], the Schrödinger equation fully determines subsequent wavefunction, and the above then gives probabilities of locations of the particle at all subsequent times.
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| ==The laws of calculating probabilities of events==
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| '''A'''. Provided a system is not subjected to measurement, the following laws apply:
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| #The probability of an event to occur is the absolute squared of the probability amplitude for the event: <math>P=|\phi|^2</math>
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| #If there are several [[mutually exclusive events|mutually exclusive]], indistinguishable alternatives in which an event might occur, the probability amplitude of all these possibilities add to give the probability amplitude for that event: <math>\phi=\sum_i\phi_i; P=|\phi|^2=|\sum_i\phi_i|^2</math> .
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| #If, for any alternative, there is a succession of sub-events, then the probability amplitude for that alternative is the product of the probability amplitude for each sub-event: <math>\phi_{APB}=\phi_{AP}\phi_{PB}</math>.
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| #Non-entangled states of a [[composite quantum system]] have amplitudes equal to the product of the amplitudes of the states of constituent systems: <math>\phi_{\rm{system}} (\alpha,\beta,\gamma,\delta,\ldots)=\phi_1(\alpha)\phi_2(\beta)\phi_3(\gamma)\phi_4(\delta)\ldots</math>. See the [[#Composite systems]] section for more information.
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| Law 2 is analogous to the [[probability axioms|addition law of probability]], only the probability being substituted by the probability amplitude. Similarly, Law 4 is analogous to the multiplication law of probability for independent events; note that it fails for [[quantum entanglement|entangled states]].
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| '''B'''. When an experiment is performed to decide between the several alternatives, the same laws hold true for the corresponding probabilities and not the probability amplitudes: <math>P=\sum_i|\phi_i|^2</math>.
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| Provided one knows the probability amplitudes for events associated with an experiment, the above laws provide a complete description of quantum systems.
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| The above laws give way to the [[path integral formulation|path integral formulation of quantum mechanics]], in the formalism developed by the celebrated theoretical physicist [[Richard Feynman]]. This approach to quantum mechanics forms the stepping-stone to the path integral approach to [[quantum field theory]].
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| ==In the context of the double-slit experiment==
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| {{main|Double-slit experiment}}
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| Probability amplitudes have special significance because they act in quantum mechanics as the equivalent of conventional probabilities, with many analogous laws, as described above. For example, in the classic [[double-slit experiment]], electrons are fired randomly at two slits, and the probability distribution of detecting electrons at all parts on a large screen placed behind the slits, is questioned. An intuitive answer is that {{math|'''P'''(through either slit) {{=}} '''P'''(through first slit) + '''P'''(through second slit)}}, where {{math|'''P'''(event)}} is the probability of that event. This is obvious if one assumes that an electron passes through either slit. When nature does not have a way to distinguish which slit the electron has gone though (a much more stringent condition than simply "it is not observed"), the observed probability distribution on the screen reflects the [[Interference (wave propagation)|interference pattern]] that is common with light waves. If one assumes the above law to be true, then this pattern cannot be explained. The particles cannot be said to go through either slit and the simple explanation does not work. The correct explanation is, however, by the association of probability amplitudes to each event. This is an example of the case A as described in the previous article. The complex amplitudes which represent the electron passing each slit ({{math|''ψ''<sub>first</sub>}} and {{math|''ψ''<sub>second</sub>}}) follow the law of precisely the form expected: {{math|1=''ψ''<sub>total</sub> = ''ψ''<sub>first</sub> + ''ψ''<sub>second</sub>}}. This is the principle of [[quantum superposition]]. The probability, which is the [[Absolute value|modulus]] [[square (algebra)|squared]] of the probability amplitude, then, follows the interference pattern under the requirement that amplitudes are complex: <math>P = |\psi_{\rm{first}} + \psi_{\rm{second}}|^2 = |\psi_{\rm{first}}|^2 + |\psi_{\rm{second}}|^2 + 2 |\psi_{\rm{first}}| |\psi_{\rm{second}}| \cos (\varphi_1-\varphi_2)</math>. Here, <math>\varphi_1</math> and <math>\varphi_2</math> are the [[Argument (complex analysis)|arguments]] of {{math|''ψ''<sub>first</sub>}} and {{math|''ψ''<sub>second</sub>}} respectively. A purely real formulation has too few dimensions to describe the system's state when superposition is taken into account. That is, without the arguments of the amplitudes, we cannot describe the phase-dependent interference. The crucial term <math> 2 |\psi_{\rm{first}}| |\psi_{\rm{second}}| \cos (\varphi_1-\varphi_2)</math> is called the "interference term", and this would be missing if we had added the probabilities.
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| However, one may choose to device an experiment in which he observes which slit each electron goes through. Then, case B of the above article applies, and the interference pattern is not observed on the screen.
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| One may go further in devising an experiment in which he gets rid of this "which-path information" by a [[Quantum eraser experiment|"quantum eraser"]]. Then the case A applies again and the interference pattern is restored.
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| ==Conservation of probabilities and the Continuity equation==
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| {{main|Probability current}}
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| Intuitively, since a normalised wave function stays normalised while evolving according to the wave equation, there will be a relationship between the change in the probability density of the particle's position and the change in the amplitude at these positions.
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| Define the [[probability current]] (or flux) {{math|'''j'''}} as
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| :<math> \mathbf{j} = {\hbar \over m} {1 \over {2 i}} \left( \psi ^{*} \nabla \psi - \psi \nabla \psi^{*} \right) = {\hbar \over m} \operatorname{Im} \left( \psi ^{*} \nabla \psi \right),</math>
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| measured in units of (probability)/(area × time).
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| Then the current satisfies the equation
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| :<math> \nabla \cdot \mathbf{j} + { \partial \over \partial t} |\psi|^2 = 0.</math>
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| The probability density is <math>\rho=|\psi|^2</math> , this equation is exactly the [[continuity equation]], appearing in many situations in physics where we need to describe the local conservation of quantities. The best example is in classical electrodynamics, where {{math|'''j'''}} corresponds to current density corresponding to electric charge, and the density is the charge-density. The corresponding continuity equation describes the local conservation of charges.{{clarification needed|reason=Which charges? For which particles?|date=January 2014}}
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| ==Composite systems==
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| For two quantum systems with spaces {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X''<sub>1</sub>)}} and {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>(''X''<sub>2</sub>)}} and given states {{math|{{ket|Ψ<sub>1</sub>}}}} and {{math|{{ket|Ψ<sub>2</sub>}}}} respectively, their combined state {{math|{{ket|Ψ<sub>1</sub>}} [[outer product|⊗]] {{ket|Ψ<sub>2</sub>}}}} can be expressed as {{math|''ψ''<sub>1</sub>(''x''<sub>1</sub>) ''ψ''<sub>2</sub>(''x''<sub>2</sub>)}} a function on {{math|''X''<sub>1</sub> [[direct product|×]] ''X''<sub>2</sub>}}, that gives the
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| [[product measure|product of respective probability measures]]. In other words, amplitudes of a non-[[quantum entanglement|entangled]] composite state are [[multiplication|products]] of original amplitudes, and [[#convenient|respective observables]] on the systems 1 and 2 behave on these states as [[independent random variables]]. This strengthens the probabilistic interpretation explicated [[#The laws of calculating probabilities of events|above]].
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| ==Amplitudes in operators==
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| The concept of amplitudes described above is relevant to quantum state vectors. It is also used in the context of [[unitary operator]]s that are important in the [[scattering theory]], notably in the form of [[S-matrix|S-matrices]]. Whereas moduli of vector components squared, for a given vector, give a fixed probability distribution, moduli of [[matrix element]]s squared are interpreted as [[transition probabilities]] just as in a random process. Like a finite-dimensional [[unit vector]] specifies a finite probability distribution, a finite-dimensional [[unitary matrix]] specifies transition probabilities between a finite number of states. Note that columns of a unitary matrix, as vectors, have the norm 1.
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| The "transitional" interpretation may be applied to {{math|''L''<sup>2</sup>}}s on non-discrete spaces as well.
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| {{Expand-section|date=January 2014}}
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| ==See also==
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| *[[Free particle]]
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| *[[Finite potential barrier]]
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| *[[Matter wave]]
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| *[[Uncertainty principle]]
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| *[[Wave packet]]
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| *[[Phase space formulation]]
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| ==Footnotes==
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| {{reflist}}
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| ==References==
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| # The Nobel Prize in Physics 1954: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1954/# .
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| # ''[[The Feynman Lectures on Physics]], Volume 3'', '''Feynman, Leighton, Sands.''' Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, 2008.
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Probability Amplitude}}
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| [[Category:Quantum mechanics]]
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| [[Category:Quantum measurement]]
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| [[Category:Concepts in physics]]
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| [[Category:Particle statistics]]
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