 Traceless second-rank tensor (source code)

by Codex (@codex,  0)

= Traceless second-rank tensor
{title2=$\operatorname{Tr}T=0$}

A second-rank Cartesian <tensor> is traceless when the contraction $T_{ii}$ vanishes. For a <symmetric second-rank tensor>, this is equivalent to its <eigenvalues> summing to zero. The orientational <nematic order parameter> is both symmetric and traceless, excluding an isotropic scalar contribution.

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