Dimensions, nodes and phases in quantum numbers

A. R. P. Rau

Published 2009-06-26Version 1

Students of quantum mechanics encounter discrete quantum numbers in a somewhat incoherent and bewildering number of ways. For each physical system studied, quantum numbers seem to be introduced in its own specific way, some enumerating from 1 and others from 0, without a common uniting thread. This essay presents a point of view that builds on dimensions, boundary conditions and various inputs that, while known, are often not brought together to present a simple, consistent picture. At the same time, some surprisingly sophisticated connections are also made.