What do these states mean physically?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter KFC
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mean States
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the physical meaning of quantum states represented in Dirac notation, specifically |u, d⟩ and |u⟩ + |d⟩. The state |u, d⟩ indicates a system with two spins: one spin-up and one spin-down, while |u⟩ + |d⟩ represents a single spin in a non-normalized superposition of both states. Additionally, the Fock state |4, 3⟩ denotes a system with four particles in one subsystem and three in another, contrasting with |4⟩ + |3⟩, which signifies a superposition of these particle states. The distinction between tensor products and vector addition in quantum mechanics is emphasized.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Dirac notation in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with quantum superposition principles
  • Knowledge of Fock states and their representation
  • Basic concepts of quantum spin and particle systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of quantum superposition in quantum mechanics
  • Learn about the mathematical formalism of tensor products in quantum states
  • Explore the significance of phase in quantum states and superpositions
  • Investigate the role of Fock states in quantum field theory
USEFUL FOR

Quantum physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the foundations of quantum theory and particle physics.

KFC
Messages
477
Reaction score
4
For the state written as

[tex]|u, d\rangle[/tex]

where u mean spin-up and d mean spin-down, I know that it is a state for a system which contains two spins: the first one is up and the other is down.

But if I write the state as

[tex]|u\rangle + |d\rangle[/tex]

What does this state mean? To me, I will read there are two partilces: one spin up and one spin down, so what's the different from the first one?

It is more confuse if I write the Fock states

what does [tex]|4, 3\rangle[/tex] mean ? The first subsystem has 4 particles while the other has 3 particles?

And [tex]|4\rangle + |3\rangle[/tex] ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
|u>+|d> is a system with only one spin, in a (non-normalised) superposition of both up and down. Note the difference between the (vector) addition operator and the tensor product operator (which is what you are abbreviating when you use the notation of a comma inside one ket).

..this "superposition" state does have a specific "phase", so it is different from another single-spin state |u>-|d>, in fact pure up (say) can also be written as a particular superposition of those two different "phase" states..
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K