How do spin measurements of particles relate to complex amplitudes?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the relationship between spin measurements of particles and complex amplitudes, specifically in the context of quantum mechanics. The state for measuring spin along the x-axis is represented as |+,x⟩, which is a superposition of the spin states |−⟩ and |+⟩. The amplitude for measuring spin along the z-axis is derived using the bra ⟨+,s_z|, with the angle φ set to 0, indicating a measurement aligned with the z-direction. The discussion emphasizes that multiplying an eigenstate by a complex number retains the eigenstate, but the ratio of complex amplitudes for measuring momentum along different axes varies, specifically yielding a ratio of 1 for s_z and i for s_y.

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  • Quantum mechanics fundamentals
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  • Familiarity with bra-ket notation
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Grand
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Homework Statement


Say we want to fiddle with spin of a particle.

The state in which a measurement of [tex]s_x[/tex] is certain to yield +1/2 is:
[tex]|+,x\rangle=\sin{\frac{\pi}{4}}e^{i 0}|-\rangle+\cos{\frac{\pi}{4}}e^{-i 0}|+\rangle=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(|-\rangle+\+|+\rangle)[/tex]

Now, for this state, we want to find the amplitude for measuring [tex]s_z[/tex] to be either 1/2 or -1/2. We have to apply the bra
[tex]\langle+,s_z|=sin0e^{i\phi/2}\langle-|+cos0e^{i\phi/2}\langle+|[/tex]

What I want to ask about is why in here [tex]\phi=0[/tex] as well - it is the z direction, which is determined only by [tex]\theta=0[/tex].
 
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Hi Grand! :wink:

If you multiply any eigenstate by an ordinary complex number, don't you get the same eigenstate?
 
Yes, we do. The probability is computed as mod squared of the amplitude. But here we have to show that the ratio of the complex amplitudes to measure the momentum [tex]s_z[/tex] to be 1/2 and -1/2 is 1 and for the same calculation, but for y it is i.
 

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