What's the meaning of spin in 1+1 spacetime?

In summary, spin in 1+1 spacetime refers to the intrinsic angular momentum of particles in a two-dimensional spacetime. It is measured in units of angular momentum and represents the rotational symmetry of particles. The value of spin can affect particle behavior, including interactions and quantum mechanical properties. Particles can have different spin values in 1+1 spacetime, with some having integer spin and others having half-integer spin.
  • #1
ingenue
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When people discuss the Schwinger model, sometimes they still call the electron field spin-1/2 and the EM field spin-1. I wonder if there's some justification for these calling, since there's no rotations at all in 1+1 spacetime. I know for SO(n) with n>=2, one can always have well-defined spins.
 
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  • #2
In 1+1 dim. the spin comes from the SO(1,1) Lorentz group. There are two-component spinors, a gamma matrix representation can be constructed from the Pauli matrices.

Of course there is no rotation in the ordinary sense, but the mathematics underlying spin is similar to the 3+1 dim case.
 

1. What is spin in 1+1 spacetime?

Spin in 1+1 spacetime refers to the intrinsic angular momentum of a particle or system in a two-dimensional spacetime. It is a fundamental property of particles, similar to their mass and charge.

2. How is spin measured in 1+1 spacetime?

Spin in 1+1 spacetime is measured in units of angular momentum, typically expressed as a multiple of Planck's constant. It can also be measured through experiments that observe the interaction of the particle's spin with external fields.

3. What does spin represent in 1+1 spacetime?

Spin in 1+1 spacetime represents the intrinsic rotational symmetry of a particle or system. It is a fundamental property that determines how the particle behaves under rotations in the two-dimensional spacetime.

4. How does spin in 1+1 spacetime affect particle behavior?

The value of spin in 1+1 spacetime can affect how particles interact with each other and with external fields. It can also determine the stability and decay of particles, as well as their quantum mechanical properties such as their energy levels and magnetic moment.

5. Can particles have different spins in 1+1 spacetime?

Yes, particles can have different spin values in 1+1 spacetime. In fact, different types of particles have different spin values, with some particles having integer spin (such as photons and Higgs bosons) and others having half-integer spin (such as electrons and quarks).

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