A gentle introduction to Schwinger's formulation of quantum mechanics: The groupoid picture Articles uri icon

publication date

  • June 2018

start page

  • 112

end page

  • 122

issue

  • 20 (1850122)

volume

  • 33

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0217-7323

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1793-6632

abstract

  • In this paper, we review Schwinger's formulation of Quantum Mechanics and argue that the mathematical structure behind Schwinger's "Symbolism of Atomic Measurements" is that of a groupoid. In this framework, both the Hilbert space (Schrodinger picture) and the C*-algebra (Heisenberg picture) of the system turn out to be derived concepts, that is, they arise from the underlying groupoid structure.

keywords

  • foundations of quantum mechanics; symbolism of atomic measurement; groupoids