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| 95 | + <div class='front-matter'> |
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| 97 | + <h1> |
| 98 | + Spin Representation |
| 99 | + </h1> |
| 100 | + <h4> |
| 101 | + Explaining the role of group theory as it relates to the property of spin in quantum mechanics. |
| 102 | + </h4> |
| 103 | + <div class='bylines'> |
| 104 | + <div class='byline'> |
| 105 | + <h3>Published</h3> |
| 106 | + <p>10 November 2025</p> |
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| 113 | + |
| 114 | + <h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2> |
| 115 | + |
| 116 | + <p> |
| 117 | + For most undergraduates, Griffiths Quantum Mechanics is the first |
| 118 | + </p> |
| 119 | + |
| 120 | + <h2 id="so3-vs-su2">SO(3) vs SU(2)</h2> |
| 121 | + <p> |
| 122 | + Rotational symmetries in physical space form the group SO(3), but quantum states transform under SU(2), its double cover. |
| 123 | + The correspondence between these groups ensures a \(2:1\) mapping, capturing the fact that a \(360^\circ\) rotation can |
| 124 | + introduce a sign change in spinor wavefunctions. |
| 125 | + </p> |
| 126 | + |
| 127 | + <h2 id="representations">Representations and Spin</h2> |
| 128 | + <p> |
| 129 | + Irreducible representations of SU(2) are labeled by half-integers \(j\). Each \(j\) yields a \((2j+1)\)-dimensional space |
| 130 | + of spin states. The familiar spin-\(\frac{1}{2}\) particles reside in the fundamental representation, while spin-1 fields |
| 131 | + correspond to the adjoint representation. |
| 132 | + </p> |
| 133 | + |
| 134 | + <h2 id="ladder-operators">Ladder Operators</h2> |
| 135 | + <p> |
| 136 | + Using the commutation relations \([J_i, J_j] = i\hbar \epsilon_{ijk} J_k\), one constructs ladder operators \(J_{\pm}\) |
| 137 | + to traverse the eigenbasis of \(J_z\). These operators manifest the algebraic structure that group theory predicts. |
| 138 | + </p> |
| 139 | + |
| 140 | + <h2 id="physical-implications">Physical Implications</h2> |
| 141 | + <p> |
| 142 | + Spin-statistics, selection rules, and coupling schemes all follow from these representation-theoretic foundations. |
| 143 | + Understanding how group theory constrains spin prepares us to analyze addition of angular momentum and phenomena such as |
| 144 | + Stern–Gerlach splitting. |
| 145 | + </p> |
| 146 | + |
| 147 | + <h2 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h2> |
| 148 | + <p> |
| 149 | + Group theory does more than provide abstract structure—it directly informs the quantized nature of spin. Mastery of SU(2) |
| 150 | + representations gives a powerful language for reasoning about quantum systems and their symmetries. |
| 151 | + </p> |
| 152 | + </div> |
| 153 | + |
| 154 | + <div id='bibliography'> |
| 155 | + <div class='wrap'> |
| 156 | + <ol class="bibliography"> |
| 157 | + <li><span id="sakurai">Sakurai, J. J., & Napolitano, J. (2017). <i>Modern Quantum Mechanics</i>. Pearson.</span></li> |
| 158 | + <li><span id="fulton">Fulton, W., & Harris, J. (2004). <i>Representation Theory</i>. Springer.</span></li> |
| 159 | + </ol> |
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