View source for Infinitesimal operator

The name for linear operators that are differentials of mappings of certain classes (cf. [[Differential|Differential]]). Thus, on a differentiable manifold an infinitesimal operator, or infinitesimal transformation, is the same as a [[Vector field|vector field]]; in the theory of semi-groups (of operators, of transformations) it is the same as an (infinitesimal) generating operator (cf. [[Generating operator of a semi-group|Generating operator of a semi-group]]).