In physics, a zero mode is an eigenvector with a vanishing eigenvalue.[1]

In various subfields of physics zero modes appear whenever a physical system possesses a certain symmetry. For example, normal modes of multidimensional harmonic oscillator (e.g. a system of beads arranged around the circle, connected with springs) corresponds to elementary vibrational modes of the system. In such a system zero modes typically occur and are related with a rigid rotation around the circle.

The kernel of an operator consists of left zero modes, and the cokernel consists of the right zero modes.

References

edit
  1. ^ Vaughn, Michael T. (2008). Introduction to Mathematical Physics. Germany: Wiley. p. 81. doi:10.1002/9783527618859. ISBN 9783527618859.