Tensors

Abstract

Each physical quantity is a particular type of a line group tensor, i.e., it is changed in a specific way when line group transformations are applied. Quite generally, the transformation is described by a representation of a line group, and its irreducible components single out irreducible tensors. One important class is various functions, in particular quantum mechanical wave functions, among which symmetry-adapted basis consists of harmonics and covariants. Also, irreducible components of polar and axial vectors and second-rank tensors are found. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.