Quarks and isospin ladder operators

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of isospin ladder operators in the context of quantum mechanics and particle physics, specifically addressing the formulation of the total angular momentum operator and its implications for quark states.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the formulation of the isospin ladder operator ##T_+## as presented in Thompson's book, suggesting an alternative interpretation based on the tensor product of operators.
  • Another participant acknowledges a misunderstanding and contemplates whether to delete the thread or provide an answer for future reference.
  • A third participant encourages the second participant to provide an answer, noting that the question may be common among others.
  • A later reply clarifies that the total angular momentum operator is indeed the sum of the angular momentum operators of each particle, supporting the original formulation in the book.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects some initial confusion regarding the formulation of the isospin ladder operator, but later responses indicate a consensus on the interpretation of the total angular momentum operator as a sum of individual operators. However, the initial disagreement on the formulation remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions and applications of the operators involved, as well as the specific context in which the equations are applied.

Xico Sim
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Hi, guys.

This is actually a question about quantum mechanics, but since the context in which it appeared is particle physics, I'll post it here.
On Thompson's book (page 227, equation (9.32)), we have
$$T_+ |d\bar{u}\rangle = |u\bar{u}\rangle - |d\bar{d}\rangle$$

But I thought ##T_+=T_+(1)\otimes T_+(2)##, and in that case
$$T_+ |d\bar{u}\rangle = -|u\bar{d}\rangle$$

It seems like he uses ##T_+=T_+(1) + T_+(2)##, and I don't know why he does that.
 
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I wasn't thinking correctly: I now know the answer. I don't know if I should delete this thread (or even if I can delete it) or if I should answer myself, for others who may have the same question to see...
 
Xico Sim said:
or if I should answer myself, for others who may have the same question to see...
That's the best option, you are certainly not the first or last one with that question.
 
You're right.
Well, since ##T\equiv T(1) + T(2)## (the total angular momentum operator is the sum of the angular momentum operators of each particle), we have
$$T_+\equiv T_1+iT_2=(T_1(1)+T_1(2))+i(T_2(1)+T_2(2))=T_+(1)+T_+(2)$$
 
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