9.E: Spin Angular Momentum (Exercises)
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- Find the Pauli representations of Sx, Sy, and Sz for a spin-1 particle.
- Find the Pauli representations of the normalized eigenstates of Sx and Sy for a spin-1/2 particle.
- Suppose that a spin-1/2 particle has a spin vector that lies in the x-z plane, making an angle θ with the z-axis. Demonstrate that a measurement of Sz yields ℏ/2 with probability cos2(θ/2), and −ℏ/2 with probability sin2(θ/2).
- An electron is in the spin-state χ=A(1−2i2)in the Pauli representation. Determine the constant A by normalizing χ. If a measurement of Sz is made, what values will be obtained, and with what probabilities? What is the expectation value of Sz? Repeat the previous calculations for Sx and Sy.
- Consider a spin-1/2 system represented by the normalized spinor χ=(cosαsinαexp(iβ))in the Pauli representation, where α and β are real. What is the probability that a measurement of Sy yields −ℏ/2?
- An electron is at rest in an oscillating magnetic field B=B0cos(ωt)ez,where B0 and ω are real positive constants.
- Find the Hamiltonian of the system.
- If the electron starts in the spin-up state with respect to the x-axis, determine the spinor χ(t) which represents the state of the system in the Pauli representation at all subsequent times.
- Find the probability that a measurement of Sx yields the result −ℏ/2 as a function of time.
- What is the minimum value of B0 required to force a complete flip in Sx?
Contributors and Attributions
Richard Fitzpatrick (Professor of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin)