Pauli's exclusion principle, which states that no two fermions can occupy the same quantum state, is fundamentally rooted in the antisymmetry of their wave functions. This principle is derived from quantum field theory (QFT) and is considered an axiom in quantum mechanics (QM). Pauli's insights into electron shell filling and the spin statistics theorem, as published in his 1940 papers, further elucidate the behavior of fermions. The antisymmetry of fermions is a unique characteristic of quantum theory, with no classical analog.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers in particle physics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the foundational principles governing fermionic behavior and the historical development of quantum theory.
I don't know the historical side, but I think it became clear that there must be some principle at work to prevent all electrons reaching the ground state.imsmooth said:How did Pauli determine his exclusion principle? Was it based on how he posited electron shells filled? Is the fact that fermions are antisymmetic a mathematical solution to make the principle work with quantum theory?
imsmooth said:How did Pauli determine his exclusion principle?
Thank you. This is what I was looking for. As I thought, he had the insight and came up with it to explain reality.PeterDonis said:This article gives a brief historical overview:
https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200701/history.cfm