Needs matrix representation

State sixth postulate of Quantum

Mechanics and set up eigenvalue equations
for the components of spin vectors. Use
these eigenvalue equations and find Pauli
Spin matrices.
Stern-Gerlach
But O. Stern and W. Gerlach saw a beam of silver atoms split into two
beams!

This is fine structure splitting! ..because of the interaction between

intrinsic angular momentum and orbital angular momentum of
electrons in the silver atom
Sixth Postulate
“An electron possesses an intrinsic angular
momentum called spin vector with components Sx,
Sy and Sz; each being a two valued observables, with
possible eigenvalues ± /2 for each”
1

According to sixth postulate, the z-component of

the spin vector
2

Spin and magnetic spin quantum number

Stern-Gerlach Experiment gives

Therefore equation (2) can be written as,

3
Let us introduce,

Therefore, equation (3) takes this form:

4
We intend to find eigenvalue equation for other
components of the spin vector.
Introducing ladder operator for spin components,
5
6
Adding (5) and (6),

7
Subtracting,
8
You should remember these eigenvalue equations:
We know that the eigenvalue equation for angular
momentum ladder operator is,

Pauli treated both orbital and intrinsic angular

momentum as a similar, i.e., they may interact,
couple, overlap, etc…..
According to him, basic properties of ladder
(creation/annihilation) should be identical for both
momentum. Therefore,

Let us find eigenvalue equation for S+ and S- 9

operators.
Let s = ½, ms = ½ >>

zero 10

Let s = ½, ms = -½ >>

11
zero
Let s = ½, ms = -½ >>

12

Let s = ½, ms = ½ >>

13
Now, applying state function in equation (7),

10 13

14

Similarly, applying state function in equation (7),

 11 12

14
Combining equation (13) and (14), we get,

15
Similarly, when applying state function in
equation (7), we get,
16
The eigenvalue equations of the components of the
spin vectors are,

6th postulate

Now we deduce Pauli spin matrices using these

eigenvalue equation!
Pauli defined spin operators as,

The component of Pauli spin operators are,

17

18

19

Applying state function in (17),

 15

20

Applying state function in (18),

21
Applying state function in (19), we find
22

The Pauli spin matrices can be obtained in the basis

set as,

Using eigenvalue equation

Since the state functions and are

orthogonal, i.e.,
23
Similarly y-component of Pauli spin matrix can be
obtained in the basis set as,

Using eigenvalue equation

24
Similarly z-component of Pauli spin matrix is,
25
Therefore, our required Pauli spin matrices are as
follows:

Square Matrix of order 2

Determinant
Traceless
Anti-commutation
Linearly independent?
Generator of Lie algebra of …… group?
 6th postulate

Identical property
of ladder operator
 State sixth postulate of Quantum
Mechanics and set up eigenvalue
equations for the components of
spin vectors. Use these eigenvalue
equations and find Pauli Spin
matrices.
HOME WORK
Question No. 1
Find the matrix elements of spin operators Sx, Sy &
Sz using relation

where and
are orthogonal.

Question No. 2
Show that
also find matrix element for S2.