Undergrad Angular momentum and rotations

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mathematical formulation of infinitesimal rotations in quantum mechanics, specifically the operator ##R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)##. It is established that this operator takes the form $$ R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)=1-\frac{i}{\hbar} \mathrm{d} \alpha J_z $$, where ##J_z## is a Hermitian operator, ensuring the unitarity of the rotation operator. The conservation of the group law for infinitesimal rotations necessitates that ##J_z## is Hermitian, reinforcing the relationship between the infinitesimal generator and the virtual z-axis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles, particularly angular momentum.
  • Familiarity with Hermitian operators and their significance in quantum theory.
  • Knowledge of unitary transformations and their properties.
  • Basic grasp of Taylor series expansions in mathematical physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Hermitian operators in quantum mechanics.
  • Learn about unitary transformations and their applications in quantum systems.
  • Explore the concept of angular momentum in quantum mechanics, focusing on the role of infinitesimal rotations.
  • Investigate the mathematical foundations of group theory as applied to quantum mechanics.
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those specializing in quantum mechanics, as well as mathematicians interested in the application of group theory to physical systems.

Kashmir
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Cohen tannoudji. Vol 1.pg 702"Now, let us consider an infinitesimal rotation ##\mathscr{R}_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)## about the ##O z## axis. Since the group law is conserved for infinitesimal rotations, the operator ##R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)## is necessarily of the form: $$ R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)=1-\frac{i}{\hbar} \mathrm{d} \alpha J_z $$ where ##J_z## is a Hermitian operator since ##R_{\mathbf{e}_z}\left(\mathrm{~d} \alpha\right.## ) is unitary (cf. Complement ##\mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{II}}, \S 3## ). This relation is the definition of ##J_z##."

Why is it that; Since the group law is conserved for infinitesimal rotations, the operator ##R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)## is necessarily of the form: $$ R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)=1-\frac{i}{\hbar} \mathrm{d} \alpha J_z $$ where ##J_z## is a Hermitian operator?
 
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Unitarity of ##R \equiv R_{e_z}## means
$$R R^{\dagger}=(1-\mathrm{i} \mathrm{d} \alpha J_z)(1+\mathrm{i} \mathrm{d} \alpha) J_z^{\dagger} = 1 -\mathrm{i} \mathrm{d} \alpha (J_z - J_z^{\dagger}) + \mathcal{O}(\mathrm{d} \alpha^2) \stackrel{!}{=} 1 + \mathcal{O}(\mathrm{d} \alpha^2) \; \Rightarrow \; J_z=J_z^{\dagger}.$$
 
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Likes Omega0, Kashmir, topsquark and 1 other person
vanhees71 said:
Unitarity of ##R \equiv R_{e_z}## means
$$R R^{\dagger}=(1-\mathrm{i} \mathrm{d} \alpha J_z)(1+\mathrm{i} \mathrm{d} \alpha) J_z^{\dagger} = 1 -\mathrm{i} \mathrm{d} \alpha (J_z - J_z^{\dagger}) + \mathcal{O}(\mathrm{d} \alpha^2) \stackrel{!}{=} 1 + \mathcal{O}(\mathrm{d} \alpha^2) \; \Rightarrow \; J_z=J_z^{\dagger}.$$
I was trying to ask about why does
The group law being conserved for infinitesimal rotations imply that

##R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)=1-\frac{i}{\hbar} \mathrm{d} \alpha J_z## . Why does it necessarily have this form
 
... because this is the infinitesimal generator relative to an virtual z axis? Is your question like "why is the Taylor expansion of the e function is at it is.."?
 
Kashmir said:
I was trying to ask about why does
The group law being conserved for infinitesimal rotations imply that

##R_{\mathbf{e}_z}(\mathrm{~d} \alpha)=1-\frac{i}{\hbar} \mathrm{d} \alpha J_z## . Why does it necessarily have this form
Every operator parameterized by an infinitesimal has that form. The group law implies ##J_z## is Hermitian. That's the point.
 
Last edited:
Time reversal invariant Hamiltonians must satisfy ##[H,\Theta]=0## where ##\Theta## is time reversal operator. However, in some texts (for example see Many-body Quantum Theory in Condensed Matter Physics an introduction, HENRIK BRUUS and KARSTEN FLENSBERG, Corrected version: 14 January 2016, section 7.1.4) the time reversal invariant condition is introduced as ##H=H^*##. How these two conditions are identical?

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