wavefunction collapse

noun

The phenomenon in which a wavefunction — initially in a superposition of several different possible eigenstates — appears to reduce to a single one of those states after interaction with an observer: the reduction of the physical possibilities into a single possibility as seen by an observer.

Similar
state vector collapse
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Meanings

nounwavefunction collapse (countable and uncountable, plural wavefunction collapses)

plural wavefunction collapses

  1. countableuncountablequantum mechanicsThe phenomenon in which a wavefunction — initially in a superposition of several different possible eigenstates — appears to reduce to a single one of those states after interaction with an observer: the reduction of the physical possibilities into a single possibility as seen by an observer.

    Synonyms: state vector collapse

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe phenomenon in which a wavefunction — initially in a superposition of several different possible eigenstates — appears to reduce to a single one of those states after interaction with an observer: the reduction of the physical possibilities into a single possibility as seen by an observer.

Similar
state vector collapse

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 波函數坍縮 /波函数坍缩
  • 波函數坍縮 /波函数坍缩 (bōhánshù tānsuō)Translations
German Kollaps der Wellenfunktion, Zustandsreduktion
  • Kollaps der WellenfunktionTranslations
  • ZustandsreduktionTranslations
Polish kolaps funkcji falowej
  • kolaps funkcji falowejTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

wavefunction collapse. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wavefunction%20collapse

MLA

“wavefunction collapse.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wavefunction%20collapse. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “wavefunction collapse,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/wavefunction%20collapse.

Source: wavefunction collapse on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.