Pauli Spin Operator Eigenvalues For Two Electron System

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the eigenvalues of the Pauli spin operator for a two-electron system, particularly in the context of a qualifying exam problem. Participants are examining discrepancies between provided answers and their understanding of quantum mechanics as presented in Sakurai's text.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a discrepancy in the eigenvalues of the Pauli spin operator, suggesting that the answer key indicates eigenvalues of 4s(s+1), while they believe it should be s(s+1) based on Sakurai's text.
  • Several participants request additional context or references to clarify the claims being made, indicating that the image of the eigenvalues did not initially appear.
  • A participant describes the Hamiltonian for two s = 1/2 spins and the application of a magnetic field to one of the spins, providing context for the problem being discussed.
  • Another participant reiterates the eigenvalue relationship for the total spin operator, stating that the eigenvalue of the operator should be ##\hbar^2 s(s+1)## and suggests a relationship between the Pauli matrices and the total spin operator.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct eigenvalues for the Pauli spin operator in a two-electron system, with no consensus reached on whether the answer key contains an error or if the understanding of the eigenvalues is flawed.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes references to specific quantum mechanics concepts and equations, but lacks clarity on the definitions and assumptions underlying the eigenvalue calculations. The participants' understanding appears to depend on their interpretations of the relevant texts and the specific problem context.

xdrgnh
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I'm studying for a qualifying exam and I see something very strange in the answer key to one of the problems from a past qualifying exam. It appears the sigma^2 for a two electron system has eigenvalues according to the picture below of 4s(s+1) while from my understand of Sakurai it should have eigenvalue of s(s+1). Can anyone shed some light on this, I suspect it is an error.
Screen%20Shot%202017-08-26%20at%2011.01.47%20PM.png
 
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Your image didn't appear to come through. It might be better to link to a reference if you have one.
 
PeterDonis said:
Your image didn't appear to come through. It might be better to link to a reference if you have one.
Yes I see. I have a link to a google drive.

Anyway I can just upload a photo on my desktop?
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9_oicNQsA7bSFFxT1czal9hclU

if you have access to the google drive it would be under 2009 part 2, the quantum question 2.
 
xdrgnh said:
here is the image.

This doesn't give enough context. Do you have an actual reference?
 
PeterDonis said:
This doesn't give enough context. Do you have an actual reference?
Consider two s = 1/2 spins. Their interaction with each other is described by the Hamiltonian: Hex = A~σ1 · ~σ2 , where A is a positive constant, and ~σ1 and ~σ2 are vectors with components given by the Pauli matrices. In addition, a magnetic field B~ is applied to spin #1 only, so that the Zeeman Hamiltonian of the system is HZ = gµBB~ · ~σ1 . Here µB is the Bohr magneton and g is the g-factor. This is the problem.
 
(a) Assume that a static field is applied, B~ = Bzˆ where ˆz is the unit vector along the z-axis. Find the eigenenergies of the system. Plot the spectrum as a function of B for fixed A, labeling all relevant features. Also find the eigenfunctions for B = 0 and in the limit of infinitely large B. (40 points) this is this is the question they are referring to. Also here is the image of the solution which I think has an error in it.

http://imgur.com/N4AxroC
 
xdrgnh said:
It appears the sigma^2 for a two electron system has eigenvalues according to the picture below of 4s(s+1) while from my understand of Sakurai it should have eigenvalue of s(s+1). Can anyone shed some light on this, I suspect it is an error.
It's ##\hat S^2## whose eigenvalue is ##\hbar^2 s(s+1)##. To get the eigenvalue of ##\hat \sigma^2##, use ##\hat {\mathbf S} = \frac{1}{2} \hbar \hat {\mathbf \sigma}##.
 

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