I Representation of Spin 1/2 quantum state

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The discussion centers on the representation of a spin-1/2 quantum state within quantum mechanics. It clarifies that while the wave function of a quantum system can be expressed in infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces for position and momentum, the spin-1/2 state exists in a two-dimensional Hilbert space. The relationship between these spaces is established through the tensor product, which combines the position/momentum Hilbert space with the spin Hilbert space. The conversation also touches on the concept of separability and entanglement, emphasizing that the full state cannot always be expressed simply as a tensor product if the position and spin states are entangled. Additionally, it discusses the Bloch sphere representation, linking it to Cartesian coordinate systems for physical spin measurements.
  • #61
cianfa72 said:
It should mean that $$(I \otimes \sigma_z)(\vec{x} \otimes I) \ket{\psi} = (\vec{x} \otimes I) (I \otimes \sigma_z) \ket{\psi}, \forall \ket{\psi}$$
Yes.

cianfa72 said:
We can check that it is true using the definition of tensor product operators acting on a generic tensor product of type ##\ket{\psi} = \ket{\alpha} \otimes \ket {\beta}##.
Yes.

cianfa72 said:
Since both ##I \otimes \sigma_z## and ##\vec{x} \otimes I## are hermitian and commute each other, they have at least a common eigenbasis -- see also Commuting Operators Have the Same Eigenvectors.
Yes.

cianfa72 said:
However any eigenbasis of the first operator is an eigenbasis for the second (and the other way around) if and only if the commutating hermitian operators have both nondegerate eigenvalues -- see Common eigenfunctions of commuting operators.
Yes.
 
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  • #62
Ok, so coming back to the case of entangled position/momentum plus spin state, such a state can be written as linear combination of tensor products basis ##\{v_i \otimes w_j\}## that will be an eigenbasis of the hermitian/self-adjoint tensor product operator ##\vec{x} \otimes \sigma_z##. Note that ##\{v_i\}## and ##\{w_j\}## are eigenbasis of operator ##\vec{x}## and ##\sigma_z## respectively.
 

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