Pauli-Lubanski Vector: Proving Eigenvector of s_pW

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L_{\vec{p}}(s) \cdot \sigma W_{\mu} \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle.Finally, since \sigma is just a scalar, we can move it outside the Lorentz transform, giving us s_{\vec{p}}W = \sigma L_{\vec{p}}(s)W_{\mu} \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle.Now, we can see that \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle is indeed an eigenvector of s_{\vec{p}}W with eigenvalue \sigma W_{\mu}, as desired. Therefore, in summary, we have shown that \vert \vec
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Homework Statement



Let [tex]L_{\vec{p}}[/tex] be a Lorentz transform which takes a particle with 0 momentum to a particle with momentum [tex]\vec{p}[/tex]. Define [tex]\vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle = L_{\vec{p}} \vert 0, \sigma \rangle[/tex], where [tex]\sigma[/tex] is spin.

Let [tex]\vec{s}[/tex] be a spatial vector such that [tex]\vec{s} \cdot \vec{J}\vert 0, \sigma \rangle = \sigma \vert 0, \sigma \rangle[/tex]. Put [tex]s_{\vec{p}}=L_{\vec{p}}(s)[/tex] ([tex]s = (0,\vec{s})[/tex]).

Define the Pauli-Lubianski vector [tex]W_{\mu} = -\frac{1}{2}\epsilon_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}J^{\nu\alpha}P^{\beta}[/tex]. Prove that [tex]\vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle[/tex] is an eigenvector of the operator [tex]s_{\vec{p}}W[/tex].

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



I tried the following way:
[tex]s_{\vec{p}}W L_{\vec{p}} \vert 0, \sigma \rangle= L_{\vec{p}} s_{\vec{p}}W \vert 0, \sigma \rangle[/tex], since [tex]s_{\vec{p}}W[/tex] is a four-scalar, so commutes with Lorentz transforms. Now I can use the fact that [tex]P^{\mu} \vert 0, \sigma \rangle \neq 0[/tex] only for [tex]\mu = 0[/tex], but what then? The resulting expression is easily seen to be [tex]L_{\vec{p}}\vec{s_{\vec{p}}} \cdot \vec{J}\vert 0, \sigma \rangle[/tex], but it doesn't help.
 
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To prove that \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle is an eigenvector of s_{\vec{p}}W, we need to show that s_{\vec{p}}W \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle = \lambda \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle, where \lambda is some eigenvalue. Let's start by expanding s_{\vec{p}}W as s_{\vec{p}}W = L_{\vec{p}}(s)W = L_{\vec{p}}(s) \cdot \frac{1}{2}\epsilon_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}J^{\nu\alpha}P^{\beta}.

Now, using the definition of L_{\vec{p}}, we can rewrite this as s_{\vec{p}}W = L_{\vec{p}}(s) \cdot \frac{1}{2}\epsilon_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}J^{\nu\alpha}L_{\vec{p}}(P)^{\beta}.

Next, we can use the fact that L_{\vec{p}}(P) = P + \vec{p}, since the Lorentz transform only affects the spatial components of the momentum. This gives us s_{\vec{p}}W = L_{\vec{p}}(s) \cdot \frac{1}{2}\epsilon_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}J^{\nu\alpha}(P^{\beta} + p^{\beta}).

Since \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle is an eigenvector of P^{\beta} with eigenvalue \vec{p}, we can rewrite this as s_{\vec{p}}W = L_{\vec{p}}(s) \cdot \frac{1}{2}\epsilon_{\mu\nu\alpha\beta}J^{\nu\alpha}(p^{\beta}) \vert \vec{p}, \sigma \rangle.

Now, we can use the fact that \vec{s} \cdot \vec{J}\vert 0, \sigma \rangle = \sigma \vert 0, \sigma \rangle, and the definition of the Pauli-Lubianski vector, to rewrite this as s_{\vec{p}}W =
 

1. What is the Pauli-Lubanski vector?

The Pauli-Lubanski vector is a four-dimensional vector used in relativistic quantum mechanics to describe the spin of a particle. It is named after physicists Wolfgang Pauli and Julian Schwinger and is denoted by the symbol sμ.

2. What is the significance of proving the eigenvector of spW?

Proving the eigenvector of spW is important because it helps us understand the behavior of particles with spin. The eigenvector represents the direction of the spin and is a fundamental property of particles that can affect their interactions with other particles.

3. How is the Pauli-Lubanski vector related to the spin of a particle?

The Pauli-Lubanski vector is directly proportional to the spin of a particle. This means that a particle with a higher spin will have a larger Pauli-Lubanski vector and vice versa. The direction of the vector also represents the direction of the spin.

4. What is the mathematical expression for the Pauli-Lubanski vector?

The mathematical expression for the Pauli-Lubanski vector is sμ = 1/2εμνρσpνSρσ, where εμνρσ is the Levi-Civita symbol, pν is the momentum vector, and Sρσ is the spin tensor.

5. How is the Pauli-Lubanski vector used in particle physics?

The Pauli-Lubanski vector is used in particle physics to study the behavior of particles with spin, such as electrons, protons, and neutrons. It helps us understand the properties of these particles and their interactions with other particles. It is also used in calculations and theoretical models to predict the behavior of particles in various physical phenomena.

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