Undergrad Interpretation of photons having zero spin

[Tio Barnabe]

What is the interpretation of the fact that photons have spin zero? Does it has do to with the fact that their proper time variation is zero?

Or let's go a bit deeper into the math. If it's possible to write down an eigenvalue equation for photons as it is possible for electrons, then we should have something like

S ketψ = λ ketψ, where ψ is a photon general state, S is the spin operator and λ the spin eigenvalue.

For this to be zero, I think one way is if the operator S is a null operator. But operators in QM are the mathematical translation of observables. So a null operator corresponding to a given observable means that that observable is not actually observed, correct? We would conclude that the photon has no observable spin.

This doesn't answer my initial question if it's related with the proper time of the photon though.

 

[stevendaryl]

What is the interpretation of the fact that photons have spin zero?

Where are you getting that from? Normally, I would say that photons have spin one.

 

[arpon]

What is the interpretation of the fact that photons have spin zero?

Photon has spin 1 and Higgs boson has spin 0. (Source: Wikipedia)
You may find this thread on spin 0 particle helpful.

 

[Tio Barnabe]

Where are you getting that from? Normally, I would say that photons have spin one.

Mistake. Indeed photons have spin 1.

You may find this thread on spin 0 particle helpful.

Indeed very helpful. I don't know how I could have forgotten it. I have read about it in the great Sakurai's book.