Quantum Entanglement. Is spin conserved?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the conservation of spin in entangled photons. When measuring photon A, its spin collapses to a specific state, which influences photon B's spin due to the principles of quantum entanglement. The consensus is that the conservation of angular momentum dictates that the total spin of the entangled pair remains constant, but the specific outcome for photon B depends on the method of their creation. Techniques such as Type I and Type II parametric down-conversion (PDC) yield different spin correlations between the photons.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum entanglement principles
  • Familiarity with angular momentum in quantum mechanics
  • Knowledge of parametric down-conversion (PDC) techniques
  • Basic concepts of superposition and measurement in quantum physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Type I and Type II parametric down-conversion methods
  • Explore the mathematical framework of quantum entanglement
  • Study the implications of angular momentum conservation in quantum systems
  • Investigate experimental setups for measuring photon spin
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Physicists, quantum mechanics students, and researchers interested in the properties of entangled photons and the conservation laws governing quantum systems.

Clever Penguin
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I have two photons that are entangled and exist in all possible states simultaneously. By measuring photon A, I cause the superposition to collapse, and i can see that it has a certain spin (say left). This measurement also causes photon B's superposition to collapse, but will it be spinning left or right?

Is spin conserved? If so, then should photon B be spinning right? In some articles i have read, the photons both spin in the same direction, and in others it is in opposite directions.
 
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Clever Penguin said:
Is spin conserved? If so, then should photon B be spinning right? In some articles i have read, the photons both spin in the same direction, and in others it is in opposite directions.

The difference of the measured angles can be any value (of course within ##0## and ##2\pi##). The mathematical definition of entanglement doesn't limit this. Conservation of angular momentum (spin is a kind of angular momentum) just means that the entangled pair that is created has to have the same total angular momentum as that of what was used to create it.
 
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Clever Penguin said:
If so, then should photon B be spinning right? In some articles i have read, the photons both spin in the same direction, and in others it is in opposite directions.

It depends on how they are created. For example, Type I PDC usually produces pairs that have the same spin. Type II PDC usually produces pairs that have opposite spin. And there are many other techniques too, so it varies.
 
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