How can I write a matrix using the whole page width in a two-colum document?

How can I write a big matrix (or array) in the width of the page while using two columns for all paper? I know that for figures (figure*) can be used, is there any way to do it for arrays?

• How do you want the matrix to be arranged? Should it start in one column and continue in the other, or should it be separate matrices that run down the page in each column? – AstroPig7 Aug 13 '12 at 21:40
• @AstroPig7 : I do not want to be separate and be in next page. I want to be in the same page and use both columns of page. – kotoll Aug 13 '12 at 21:48
• Are you allowed to use multicol? – Werner Aug 13 '12 at 21:51
• Which document class are you using? – Gonzalo Medina Aug 13 '12 at 21:54
• why not just enclose the matrix/array in a figure* environment? – barbara beeton Aug 13 '12 at 22:35

You can't switch from twocolumn mode to onecolumn mode in the middle of the page. The only mechanism is using the environment figure* or table*.
If you need such a switch you can work with the great package multicol.