How to Show \(\psi_{i}\ket{\xi} = \xi_{i}\ket{\xi}\)?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on demonstrating the equation $$\psi_{i}\ket{\xi} = \xi_{i}\ket{\xi}$$ using the fermionic coherent state defined by the formula $$\ket{\xi} = e^{\psi^{\dagger}T\xi}\ket{0}$$ from di Francesco's CFT book. Participants analyze the case where the matrix $$T$$ is a 2x2 matrix, leading to an exploration of the implications of Grassmann numbers and Pauli exclusion. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly managing signs in the equations and emphasizes the need for careful computation of terms involving the fermion creation operator $$\psi^{\dagger}$$.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fermionic coherent states and Grassmann numbers
  • Familiarity with Pauli exclusion principle in quantum mechanics
  • Knowledge of operator algebra, particularly with fermion creation operators
  • Basic grasp of linear algebra, specifically matrix operations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Grassmann numbers in quantum field theory
  • Learn about the implications of the Pauli exclusion principle on fermionic systems
  • Explore the derivation of coherent states in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the role of matrix representations in quantum operator algebra
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, researchers in quantum field theory, and students studying fermionic systems will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in coherent states and operator algebra.

thatboi
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I came across the following formula (2.68) in di Francesco's CFT book for a fermionic coherent state:
$$\ket{\xi} = e^{\psi^{\dagger}T\xi}\ket{0}$$
where##\ket{\xi} = \ket{\xi_{1},...,\xi_{n}}##, ##\xi_{i}## is a Grassman number, ##T## is some invertible matrix, and ##\psi^{\dagger}## is the fermion creation operator. I want to show that $$\psi_{i}\ket{\xi} = \xi_{i}\ket{\xi}$$ and am struggling to do so. I tried considering just the simplest case where ##T## is a 2x2 matrix. Then we would have (take ##i=1## as an example):
$$\psi_{1}\ket{\xi} =\left(1+T_{2,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}\right)\left(1+T_{2,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}\right) \psi_{1}\left(1+T_{1,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\right)\left(1+T_{1,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\right)\ket{0}$$
where I have used the fact that ##e^{\eta} = 1+\eta## for ##\eta## a Grassman number. Further expanding then gives:
$$\psi_{1}\left(1+T_{1,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{1} + T_{1,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{1} + T_{1,1}T_{1,2}\xi_{1}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\right)\ket{0}$$
Now the last term is automatically ##0## by Pauli exclusion, so passing the ##\psi_{1}## through results in:
$$\left(-T_{1,1}\xi_{1}-T_{1,2}\xi_{2}\right)\ket{0}$$
where the additional minus sign is because ##\{\psi,\xi\}=0##.
I am not sure how to proceed from here. Any advice appreciated.
 
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You missed one minus sign in the third equation, so your final equation should have plus signs instead of the minus ones. To proceed, now compute ##\xi_1|\xi\rangle## in a similar way.
 
Demystifier said:
You missed one minus sign in the third equation, so your final equation should have plus signs instead of the minus ones. To proceed, now compute ##\xi_1|\xi\rangle## in a similar way.
Do you mean when I pass the ##\psi_{1}## through the ##\psi^{\dagger}_{2}## terms? I don't see why a minus sign would be picked up (##\psi^{\dagger}_{1}## should commute with both ##\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}## and ##\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}##).
 
Last edited:
thatboi said:
I don't see why a minus sign would be picked up (##\psi^{\dagger}_{1}## should commute with both ##\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}## and ##\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}##).
You are right, my bad. :bow:
 
Demystifier said:
You are right, my bad. :bow:
Haha no worries, I can't edit the original post now, so I'll proceed based off what you said, it's a bit of a mess so let me know if you see anything suspicious.
$$\begin{equation}
\begin{split}
\xi_{1}\ket{\xi} &= \xi_{1}\left(1+T_{2,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}\right)\left(1+T_{2,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}\right) \left(1+T_{1,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\right)\left(1+T_{1,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\right)\ket{0}\\
&= \xi_{1}\left(1+T_{2,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{2} + T_{2,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}\right)\left(1+T_{1,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}+T_{1,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\right)\ket{0}\\
&= \left(\xi_{1}+T_{2,2}\xi_{1}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}\right)\left(1+T_{1,1}\xi_{1}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}+T_{1,2}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{1}\right)\ket{0}\\
&=\left(\xi_{1}+T_{1,2}\xi_{1}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{1} + T_{2,2}\xi_{1}\xi_{2}\psi^{\dagger}_{2}\right)\ket{0}
\end{split}
\end{equation}$$
In the second line I dropped the ##\psi^{\dagger}_{i}\psi^{\dagger}_{i}## terms due to Pauli exclusion again.
This still doesn't really look like what I had in my original post so I'm stuck.
 

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