Changing the spin of an electron

varadgautam · Jun 27, 2011

Is it possible to change the spin of an electron (or any particle) by supplying some energy to it?

Drakkith · Jun 28, 2011

The spin itself as in changing the 1/2 to 2/2? If so, no. It is not possible. However it is possible to change the direction of the spin, as in changing it from an up spin to a down spin.

varadgautam · Jun 28, 2011

By changing I mean +1/2 to -1/2

Drakkith · Jun 28, 2011

I believe so, as the + and - simply refer to the direction.

robert2734 · Jun 28, 2011

Isn't that what a magnetic field does? The initially randomly spinning electrons change their spins to align with the magnetic field.

tom.stoer · Jun 28, 2011

in order to flip a spin you don't necessarily have to supply energy but angular momentum ...

Changing the spin of an electron

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