In general, a tensor operator is one that transforms according to a tensor: U ( R ) † † T ^ ^ p q r ⋯ ⋯ a b c ⋯ ⋯ U ( R ) = R p , α α R q , β β R r , γ γ ⋯ ⋯ T ^ ^ i j k ⋯ ⋯ α α β β γ γ ⋯ ⋯ R i , a − − 1 R j , b − − 1 R k , c − − 1 ⋯ ⋯ where the basis are transformed by R − − 1 or the vector components transform by R .