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How to call the states in the superposition $\psi_0 = \sum_n C_n \psi_n^{(0)}$? I mean, whether they are famous virtual states or what?

EDIT: $\psi_0$ is the ground state wave function to be calculated by the perturbation theory. $\psi_n^{(0)}$ are the eigenstates of the non perturbed Hamiltonian $H_0$. These are regular notations in QM.

EDIT 2: My question's arisen because Lubosh called such states "a condensate of virtual particles" or so.

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Neither your notation nor your question seems very clear. In fact, I have no idea what you're asking. Can you please explain your notation and then also elaborate on what the actual problem is? – user346 Mar 13 '11 at 21:07
I could not invent more clear notations than there are in QM, sorry. – Vladimir Kalitvianski Mar 13 '11 at 22:23
Look I'm trying to be of help here. Also I haven't down-voted yet. Are you, perhaps, simply trying to ask a question about terminology? As to what you should call something? – user346 Mar 13 '11 at 22:31
In light of the comments and clarifications that have been posted, I don't see how this question makes sense. – David Zaslavsky♦ Mar 13 '11 at 23:31
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@Vladimir, please stop wasting everybody's time. -1 – user346 Mar 14 '11 at 0:50
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closed as not a real question by Luboš Motl, Moshe R., David Zaslavsky♦ Mar 13 '11 at 23:28

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

1 Answer

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Formally they (the $\psi_n^{(0)}$s) form a basis of the space and can be called "basis states".

And very likely they are the eigenstates of some operator that is physically important in the problem, so "eigenstates of the Foo operator" is an option as well.

In light of the edit I can offer only "the unperturbed states of the system" and similar circumlocutions as I am not aware of any special term for such states.

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I know that they are basis states. Are they virtual states, for example, if $\psi_0$ is involved in some scattering calculations? – Vladimir Kalitvianski Mar 13 '11 at 21:39
My question's arisen because Lubosh called such states "a condensate of virtual particles" or so. – Vladimir Kalitvianski Mar 13 '11 at 22:29

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