How does a spinor affect a wave function?

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SUMMARY

Spinors significantly influence wave function solutions by introducing multiple spatial components, as demonstrated in the Dirac equation. A single-electron solution of the Dirac equation comprises four components, highlighting the algebraic properties that define a spinor. In contrast, Pauli's early theory utilized two complex components for spinors, which can be integrated with spatial wave functions. Understanding the characterization of wave function solutions as spinors is crucial, as it reveals how these components associate with spatial wave functions without altering their inherent properties.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Dirac equation
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics concepts
  • Knowledge of spin and its implications in particle physics
  • Basic grasp of complex numbers and their role in wave functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Dirac equation in detail to comprehend its implications for spinors
  • Explore Richard Fitzpatrick's article on quantum mechanics for practical examples of spinor integration
  • Investigate the role of spin in quantum chemistry, particularly in multi-electron systems
  • Learn about the mathematical properties of spinors and their applications in quantum field theory
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers interested in the mathematical foundations of particle behavior and wave functions.

justpeeking
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How do spinors affect wave function solutions? Like how is the output different
 
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justpeeking said:
How do spinors affect wave function solutions? Like how is the output different
The wave function of a particle with spin is the composition of a spatial component and a spinor. See the Dirac equation, for example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirac_equation
 
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justpeeking said:
How do spinors affect wave function solutions? Like how is the output different
Due to spin, you can have a state with two electrons with the same spatial wave function. It has dramatic consequences for chemistry, see e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helium_atom.
 
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PeroK said:
The wave function of a particle with spin is the composition of a spatial component and a spinor. See the Dirac equation, for example:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirac_equation

Respecting your expertise and appreciating Demystifier's enlightening answer, nevertheless might a slightly more illluminating answer* to the question be:

A spinor wave function has multiple spatial components (four for a single-electron solution of the Dirac equation).

It is the algebraic properties of this multicomponent object that makes it a spinor.

In the case of Pauli's early phenomenological theory of spin, he developed spinors that had 2-complex components (just two complex numbers). These can be combined with spatial wave functions, as your own answer states, in a manner that is very clearly illustrated in Richard Fitzpatrick's article https://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/qm/lectures/node51.html

So rather than ask "How ... spinors affect wave function solutions" it might be better to ask "what characterises a wave function solution as a spinor" (i.e. being components of a spinors doesn't change (affect) the spatial wave functions themselves, but rather associates them in such a way that the whole mathematical object is - has the properties of - a spinor.)

* OK - pedantic if you prefer
 
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