Singlet State: Symmetry vs Antisymmetry

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the relationship between singlet states and symmetry in quantum mechanics, specifically addressing the singlet configuration of two 1/2 particles, which is antisymmetric. In contrast, quarks exist in a singlet configuration that is symmetric in color space. The singlet state is defined as transforming according to the trivial representation of a symmetry group, and the behavior of multiple representations splitting into irreducible representations is contingent upon the specific group involved. The three-quark color singlet representation is derived from the antisymmetric product of three fundamental representations.

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  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and spin states
  • Familiarity with symmetry groups and their representations
  • Knowledge of quark color charge and quantum chromodynamics (QCD)
  • Basic concepts of irreducible representations in group theory
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Silviu
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Hello! I am a bit confused about the relation between the singlet configuration and symmetry of the system. So in the spin case, for 2, 1/2 particles, the singlet configuration is antisymmetric. But I read that the quarks are always in a singlet configuration, which means that they are symmetric in the color space. So as I understand, in one case singlet state is associated with symmetry, while in the other with antisymmetry. Is there a rule here?
Thank you!
 
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Singlet refers to something transforming according to the trivial representation of some symmetry group. It is used in several different applications in physics.

When you put several representations of a group together they generally split into several different irreducible representations, where some may be singlets. Exactly how this occurs depends on the group.

The three-quark color singlet representation is the anti-symmetric product of three fundamental representations.
 
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