Calculating Probabilities for Quantum Spin Measurements

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Homework Statement


The problem is a series of problems all relating to each other. I have gotten most of this done but I will add my answers and continue until the last part which is my main question: We choose a magnetic field in the z direction. Use your knowledge of 2-dimensional representations of 1. Sx, Sy, and Sz to express the Hamiltonian as a matrix:
My answer to this:
H_z = -γBcosθ1/2\hbar (1 0, 0 -1)
H_x = -γBsinθ1/2\hbar (0 1, 1 0 )
H_y= 0


Part 2: Find the eigenvalues and eigenspinors of the Hamiltonian matrix:
My answer to this:
Eigenvalues of H_z= \lambda=\pmγBcosθ1/2\hbar
Eigenvalues of H_x= \lambda=\pmγBsinθ1/2\hbar
Eigenvalues of H_y= 0

__________________________
Eigenspinor of Hz using those eigenvalues: [0 1] and [1 0]
Eigenspinor of Hx using those eigenvalues: [1 -1] and [1 1]
Eigenspinor of Hy using those eigenvalues: [0 0] <---what is up with all my "y" answers??


Part 3: Normalize the eigenspinors

My answer: Everything that I am doing is saying that these are already normalized? Is that not correct?

Part 4: Get back to experimental measurements. Suppose we collect the atoms that are in the state after going through the region of magnetic field described above. With what probability would a subsequent measurement of the spin in each of the following directions yield ? (The measurements are not consecutive.)
a. z-axis
b. x-axis
c. y-axis

MY answer: Here is where I am stuck.

Homework Equations



I know I have my eigenspinors for my 1/2 spin particles, I have the eigenvalues also. I know the probabilities having read multitude of experiment data on what is going on, and I know I am supposed to measure starting from ONE state, to get the result to the WANTED state.

The Attempt at a Solution


I know this is not in line with the forum guidelines but I really do mean it when I say I am dead stuck. I only know that I have to start with one state to get the other, or perhaps I am confused in this sense?
 
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Please tell us the original problem statement as originally given to you. I have no idea what you mean by H_x, H_y, and H_z.
 
vela said:
I have no idea what you mean by H_x, H_y, and H_z.
Whew! I'm glad you said that. I had no idea either. :rolleyes:
 
To solve this, I first used the units to work out that a= m* a/m, i.e. t=z/λ. This would allow you to determine the time duration within an interval section by section and then add this to the previous ones to obtain the age of the respective layer. However, this would require a constant thickness per year for each interval. However, since this is most likely not the case, my next consideration was that the age must be the integral of a 1/λ(z) function, which I cannot model.
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