Wigner-Eckart theorem

proper noun

A theorem of representation theory and quantum mechanics, stating that matrix elements of spherical tensor operators on the basis of angular momentum eigenstates can be expressed as the product of two factors, one of which is independent of angular momentum orientation, and the other a Clebsch-Gordan coefficient.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. A theorem of representation theory and quantum mechanics, stating that matrix elements of spherical tensor operators on the basis of angular momentum eigenstates can be expressed as the product of two factors, one of which is independent of angular momentum orientation, and the other a Clebsch-Gordan coefficient.

Origin

Named after physicists Eugene Wigner and Carl Eckart.

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Cite this entry
APA

Wigner-Eckart theorem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Wigner-Eckart%20theorem

MLA

“Wigner-Eckart theorem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Wigner-Eckart%20theorem. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Wigner-Eckart theorem,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Wigner-Eckart%20theorem.

Source: Wigner-Eckart theorem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.