# Quantum Mechanics - Unitary Operators and Spin 1/2

Hi, I'm doing question 2/II/32D at the top of page 68 here (http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/undergrad/pastpapers/2005/Part_2/list_II.pdf [Broken]). I have done everything except for the last sentence of the question.

This is what I have attempted so far:

$$|\chi\rangle=|\uparrow\rangle=\left( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \end{array} \right)$$

Then $$U|\chi\rangle=\left( \begin{array}{c} cos(\theta /2) \\ 0 \end{array} \right)-(\boldsymbol{n}.\boldsymbol{\sigma})\left( \begin{array}{c} isin(\theta /2) \\ 0 \end{array} \right)$$

Now I need to choose n. If I want the spin up state measured along the direction (sin@,0,cos@) am I correct in thinking I need the eigenvector corresponding to the +1 eigenvalue of this matrix?:

$$\sigma_1 sin\theta+\sigma_3 cos\theta=\left( \begin{array}{cc} cos\theta & sin\theta \\ sin\theta & -cos\theta \end{array} \right)$$

In which case this the desired state is $$U|\chi\rangle=\left( \begin{array}{c} sin\theta \\ 1-cos\theta \end{array} \right)$$

But I don't think it's possible to choose n such that this is the case, so where have I gone wrong? Also do I need to worry about any $$\hbar /2$$ since $$\boldsymbol{S}=\frac{\hbar}{2}\boldsymbol{\sigma}$$?

Thanks.

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diazona
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Hi, I'm doing question 2/II/32D at the top of page 68 here (http://www.maths.cam.ac.uk/undergrad/pastpapers/2005/Part_2/list_II.pdf [Broken]). I have done everything except for the last sentence of the question.

This is what I have attempted so far:

$$|\chi\rangle=|\uparrow\rangle=\left( \begin{array}{c} 1 \\ 0 \end{array} \right)$$

Then $$U|\chi\rangle=\left( \begin{array}{c} cos(\theta /2) \\ 0 \end{array} \right)-(\boldsymbol{n}.\boldsymbol{\sigma})\left( \begin{array}{c} isin(\theta /2) \\ 0 \end{array} \right)$$

Now I need to choose n. If I want the spin up state measured along the direction (sin@,0,cos@) am I correct in thinking I need the eigenvector corresponding to the +1 eigenvalue of this matrix?:

$$\sigma_1 sin\theta+\sigma_3 cos\theta=\left( \begin{array}{cc} cos\theta & sin\theta \\ sin\theta & -cos\theta \end{array} \right)$$

In which case this the desired state is $$U|\chi\rangle=\left( \begin{array}{c} sin\theta \\ 1-cos\theta \end{array} \right)$$

But I don't think it's possible to choose n such that this is the case, so where have I gone wrong?
Right idea, wrong matrix. Think about it like this: you are trying to arrange for the component of spin along a particular axis to be $+\hbar/2$, so you need to find the +1 eigenvalue of the matrix that measures spin along that axis. If the axis were the z axis, you'd use $S_z$. If it were the x axis, you'd use $S_x$. For an arbitrary axis, though, you don't have a precomputed spin matrix, so you'll need to calculate it by applying a rotation to one of the known spin matrices.

Now, do you know how to use $U$ to implement a rotation? Specifically, remember what the meanings of the vector $\hat{n}$ and the parameter $\theta$ are, in the context of rotations.
Also do I need to worry about any $$\hbar /2$$ since $$\boldsymbol{S}=\frac{\hbar}{2}\boldsymbol{\sigma}$$?
Keep in mind that $\sigma$ is unitless, and just make sure the units are consistent

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Right idea, wrong matrix. Think about it like this: you are trying to arrange for the component of spin along a particular axis to be $+\hbar/2$, so you need to find the +1 eigenvalue of the matrix that measures spin along that axis. If the axis were the z axis, you'd use $S_z$. If it were the x axis, you'd use $S_x$. For an arbitrary axis, though, you don't have a precomputed spin matrix, so you'll need to calculate it by applying a rotation to one of the known spin matrices.

Now, do you know how to use $U$ to implement a rotation? Specifically, remember what the meanings of the vector $\hat{n}$ and the parameter $\theta$ are, in the context of rotations.

Keep in mind that $\sigma$ is unitless, and just make sure the units are consistent
Can you tell me what I've done wrong in using the matrix $$\boldsymbol{m}.\boldsymbol{\sigma}= \sigma_1 sin\theta+\sigma_3 cos\theta=\left( \begin{array}{cc} cos\theta & sin\theta \\ sin\theta & -cos\theta \end{array} \right)$$ where m=(sin@,0,cos@) (the direction for the new spin up state). Now we have to choose an n such that $$U=exp(-i\boldsymbol{n}.\boldsymbol{\sigma}\theta/2)$$ rotates our original spin up state into this new one? As you say, U here is the rotation operator which will rotate the state by an angle theta about n.

Actually I think I might have just figured it out. I think I've got the RIGHT matrix, just the WRONG eigenvectors. My spin up eigenvector can be simplified to (cos(@/2),sin(@/2)) and if I choose n to be n=(0,1,0) I think that will work?

vela
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Yes, that's correct.

diazona
Homework Helper
Can you tell me what I've done wrong in using the matrix $$\boldsymbol{m}.\boldsymbol{\sigma}= \sigma_1 sin\theta+\sigma_3 cos\theta=\left( \begin{array}{cc} cos\theta & sin\theta \\ sin\theta & -cos\theta \end{array} \right)$$ where m=(sin@,0,cos@) (the direction for the new spin up state). Now we have to choose an n such that $$U=exp(-i\boldsymbol{n}.\boldsymbol{\sigma}\theta/2)$$ rotates our original spin up state into this new one? As you say, U here is the rotation operator which will rotate the state by an angle theta about n.
Ah, sorry about that. I didn't go all the way to the end of the calculation so I didn't realize that the matrix you have is actually the right one for this case.