Undergrad Solve Eigenstates Doubt: Prof. Leonard Susskind's Quantum Mechanics

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around a specific expression from Prof. Leonard Susskind's lecture on quantum mechanics, particularly regarding eigenstates and spin measurements in arbitrary directions. A participant seeks clarification on the expression $$n_zα+n_−β=α$$, which arises from diagonalizing the matrix $$\vec{n} \cdot \vec{\sigma}$$. It is explained that this equation is derived from the eigenvalue equation for the spin states, specifically for the eigenvalue of +1. After some back-and-forth, the participant realizes their initial misunderstanding of the lecture content. The clarification highlights the straightforward nature of the derivation once the concepts are properly understood.
Muthumanimaran
Messages
79
Reaction score
2
I am currently reading Prof.Leonard Susskind's Lecture on Quantum Mechanics. In the Chapter: Spin in the arbitrary directions, in the subdivision Eigenstates
In case $$\lambda=1$$
Prof states that measuring spin in arbitrary +n state gives me +1 as eigenvalue, what I don't understand is the next expression $$n_zα+n_−β=α$$
I have no idea how this expression comes here, please help me. The link to the lecture is given below:
http://www.lecture-notes.co.uk/suss...ments/lecture-4/spin-in-arbitrary-directions/
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There are two equations for ##\alpha## and ##\beta## given by the eigenvalue equation. This is the one for ##\alpha##. The other is for ##\beta##.
 
I don't see any obvious mistakes (I've not followed everything thoroughly). All that Suskind in fact does is to diagonalize the matrix ##\vec{n} \cdot \vec{\sigma}##. Where's your specific problem?
 
  • Like
Likes bhobba
Paul Colby said:
There are two equations for ##\alpha## and ##\beta## given by the eigenvalue equation. This is the one for ##\alpha##. The other is for ##\beta##.
I don't how that's lead to the expression $$n_zα+n_−β=α$$
 
##\sigma_n## times the vector ##(\alpha,\beta)## gives the same vector multiplied by 1. The equation follows from the top row of the matrix.
 
  • Like
Likes Muthumanimaran
ok, thank you, now I understand how it comes. Initially I misunderstood the Lecture. Its pretty straightforward.
 
Time reversal invariant Hamiltonians must satisfy ##[H,\Theta]=0## where ##\Theta## is time reversal operator. However, in some texts (for example see Many-body Quantum Theory in Condensed Matter Physics an introduction, HENRIK BRUUS and KARSTEN FLENSBERG, Corrected version: 14 January 2016, section 7.1.4) the time reversal invariant condition is introduced as ##H=H^*##. How these two conditions are identical?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
33K
  • · Replies 102 ·
4
Replies
102
Views
18K
Replies
16
Views
6K
Replies
9
Views
6K