Baryon Multiplets and quark content

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The discussion centers on the properties of baryon multiplets in particle physics, specifically the J=3/2 and J=1/2 states. Baryons in the J=3/2 multiplet can consist of three identical quarks (uuu, ddd, sss) due to their spins being fully aligned, creating a totally symmetric spin state. In contrast, the J=1/2 multiplet cannot have three identical quarks because their wavefunction must be totally antisymmetric, which is not achievable with a spin-1/2 configuration. This is explained by the requirement for the overall wavefunction to be antisymmetric under Fermi-Dirac statistics, involving considerations of space, spin, flavor, and color. The discussion highlights the complex interplay of quantum numbers that dictate the allowable configurations of quarks in baryons.
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I'm learning about particle physics at the moment, and have read that the J=3/2 multiplet contains baryons comprised of uuu, ddd, sss quarks. But the J=1/2 multiplet contains no baryons consisting of three quarks of the same flavour. Is there a reason for this? Is it something to do with quantum numbers the three quarks can take? (That doesn't really make sense to me, as the J=3/2 requires all spins of quarks aligned, so has even less "freedom" than than the J=1/2...)
 
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Because the 3 quarks are antisymmetric in the color degree of freedom, they obey effective Bose statistics.
Three identical quarks cannot be in a spin 1/2+1/2+1/2=1/2 state because this spin state is not fully symmetric.
 
Naz93 said:
I'm learning about particle physics at the moment, and have read that the J=3/2 multiplet contains baryons comprised of uuu, ddd, sss quarks. But the J=1/2 multiplet contains no baryons consisting of three quarks of the same flavour. Is there a reason for this? Is it something to do with quantum numbers the three quarks can take? (That doesn't really make sense to me, as the J=3/2 requires all spins of quarks aligned, so has even less "freedom" than than the J=1/2...)
It arises from Fermi-Dirac statistics. The wavefunction of the three quarks must be totally antisymmetric. It consists of parts: space, spin, flavor and color. The space part, assuming L=0, is symmetric. The flavor part, assuming three identical quarks, is symmetric. The color part, assuming the baryon will be colorless is totally antisymmetric. That leaves just the spin, and it must be totally symmetric. The totally symmetric coupling of three spin-1/2's is J=3/2.
 
Thanks both! :smile:
 

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