Display Left Subscript: Is There A Command?

  • Context: LaTeX 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the formatting of mathematical expressions in LaTeX, specifically focusing on how to display a left subscript in the context of "kets" and "bras" in quantum mechanics notation. Participants explore various commands and formatting options to achieve the desired appearance.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks a command to display the subscript on the left side of a "bra" notation, expressing dissatisfaction with the current formatting.
  • Another participant suggests using the notation ## {}_2H ## as an example, but it does not satisfy the original query.
  • Repeated concerns are raised about the spacing between the subscript and the bra notation, with requests for commands to reduce this space.
  • A suggestion is made to use text formatting with ##{}_{loc}\text{<0|}## to address spacing issues.
  • One participant recommends using "\langle" and "\rangle" instead of "<" and ">", arguing that the latter are treated as binary relations in LaTeX, which affects spacing.
  • Further clarification is provided about the typesetting differences between "<" and ">" versus "\langle" and "\rangle", including the use of "\left" and "\right" for equivalent formatting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best approach to achieve the desired formatting, with no consensus reached on a single solution. Multiple suggestions are made, reflecting various preferences and interpretations of LaTeX commands.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in current formatting options and the impact of LaTeX's treatment of certain symbols on spacing, but do not resolve these issues definitively.

julian
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I am working with a "ket" ##|0>_{loc}##, and I want to display the corresponding "bra" where the subscript ##loc## appears on the left side. The best I can do is this \;_{loc} <0| but this isn't satisfactory: ##\;_{loc} <0|##.

Is there a specific command for putting the subscript on the left?

Thanks.
 
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How about ## {}_2H ## which I got from {}_2H ?
 
Still doesn't look right: ##{}_{loc}<0|##. What's the command for reducing the in-between space?
 
julian said:
Still doesn't look right: ##{}_{loc}<0|##. What's the command for reducing the in-between space?
Which in-betweens? What's too far spread? You could use text: ##{}_{loc}\text{<0|}##.
 
julian said:
Still doesn't look right: ##{}_{loc}<0|##. What's the command for reducing the in-between space?
You should really use "\langle" and "\rangle" instead of "<" and ">" : $${}_{loc}\langle 0|$$ $$|0 \rangle_{loc}$$
 
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Thanks everybody.
 
DrGreg said:
You should really use "\langle" and "\rangle" instead of "<" and ">" : $${}_{loc}\langle 0|$$ $$|0 \rangle_{loc}$$
Just to mention why: "<" and ">" are binary relations and LaTeX typesets them as such, including additional spacing (apart from actually being different symbols). \langle and \rangle are delimiters just like ), ], and \} and are typeset as such.

Edit: If you use \left and \right, < and > will be equivalent to \langle and \rangle, i.e., \left< is an alias for \left\langle.
 
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