Is there a typo in this vector wave-function transformation?

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The discussion centers on a potential typo in the transformation of vector wave-functions in quantum mechanics, specifically regarding the operators involved. The original transformation is questioned, with the suggestion that the correct form should be J=L+SL instead of J=L+S. Key arguments include the necessity of including the angular momentum operator Lz in the transformation, as it is responsible for rotation. Ultimately, the conclusion is that the transformation is correct to a first approximation in e_z, which is sufficient for infinitesimal operations.

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[tex]\left(\begin{array}{cc}\grave{\psi_{x}}\\\grave{\psi_{y}}\end{array}\right)=(\left(\begin{array}{cc}1 & 0\\0 & 1\end{array}\right)-\frac{ie_{z}}{h}\left(\begin{array}{cc}L_{z} & 0\\0 & L_{z}\end{array}\right)-\frac{ie_{z}}{h}\left(\begin{array}{cc}0 & -ih\\ih & 0\end{array}\right))\left(\begin{array}{cc}\psi_{x}\\\psi_{y}\end{array}\right)[/tex]

According to my book, the right hand side rotates a vector wave-function (psi_x and psi_y are both scalar functions of x and y) counterclockwise about the z axis by e_z. It seems to me that this must be a typo, and that instead, if you combine the first two matrices into a single operator L, and call the last matrix the operator S, then the transformation should be given by: J=L+SL, instead of J=L+S. I'm confused. thnx
 
Last edited:
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Yes it is a typo. Arguments are the following...
1. Since Lz is responsible for the rotation so second term must contain Lz.
2.It is a simple transformation which can be written as...
z`=z
x'=xcos(theta)+ysin(theta)
y'=-xsin(theta)+y cos(theta)
Now we are dealing with Q.M. where angular momentum is the generator of rotation. The cos and sine are replaced by Lz operators.
>>> so the correct one is replace hbar within the second matrix by Lz .
 
Last edited:
Actually, after rereading the problem, it is correct, to a first approximation in e_z, which is all that matters anyway for infinitismal operations.

L is the generator of infinitismal rotatation for scalar wave functions, but for vector wave functions, you need J=L+S, where S rotates the vector (and L rotates the coordinates) and is the spin matrix.

Although I don't understand how S in this example could be the spin matrix, as S_z should be diagonal in this basis.
 

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