Difference between J/Psi and its excited states

In summary, the J/Psi is a state of charmonium with quantum numbers J=1, S=1, L=0. It can be excited to other states, such as J' and J'', without changing these numbers. The "charmonium" page in Wikipedia has a full list of the charmonium states and their quantum numbers. The lowest lying states with JPC = 1-- are ψ(3686) and ψ(3770), the first being a radial excitation with n = 2 and the second having L = 2. These particles are different from the J/Psi due to differences in their energy or other properties, resulting in a different name.
  • #1
bayners123
31
0
The J/Psi is a state of charmonium with J=1, S=1, L=0. So [itex]J^{PC} = 1^{--}[/itex].
It can be excited to states [itex]J^\prime \textrm{ and } J^{\prime\prime}[/itex], but these don't change any of these numbers. So what is changing?
 
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  • #2
The "charmonium" page in Wikipedia has a full list of the charmonium states and their quantum numbers. By J' and J'' do you mean ψ(3686) and ψ(3770)? These are the lowest lying states with JPC = 1--. Looks like the first one is a radial excitation, n = 2, and the second one has L = 2.
 
  • #3
I did, thanks! I wasn't aware that radial excitation was possible without changing the name of the particle.
 
  • #4
If the energy (or any other particle property) is different, the particle has a different name - sometimes, it is just an additional prime, a star or a number (denoting the approximate mass), but the name is different.
 

1. What is the J/Psi particle and its excited states?

The J/Psi particle is a subatomic particle made up of a charm quark and an anti-charm quark. Its excited states are higher energy states of the J/Psi particle, created through the addition of more energy.

2. What is the difference between the J/Psi particle and its excited states?

The main difference between the J/Psi particle and its excited states is their energy levels. The excited states have higher energy levels due to the addition of more energy, while the J/Psi particle is the ground state with the lowest energy level.

3. How are the J/Psi particle and its excited states studied?

The J/Psi particle and its excited states are studied through high-energy collisions in particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). These collisions allow scientists to observe the properties and behavior of these particles.

4. What is the significance of studying the J/Psi particle and its excited states?

Studying the J/Psi particle and its excited states can provide valuable insights into the fundamental forces and building blocks of the universe. These particles can also help us understand the behavior of matter and antimatter, and potentially lead to new discoveries in particle physics.

5. Are there any practical applications of studying the J/Psi particle and its excited states?

While the study of the J/Psi particle and its excited states is primarily focused on fundamental research, there have been some practical applications. The discovery of the J/Psi particle helped confirm the existence of a new type of quark, and its excited states have been used in medical imaging technology, such as PET scans, to detect the presence of cancer cells.

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