Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2005/ii/paper-3/32d/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2005 ii Paper 3 32D Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
Addition of two spin-one angular momenta gives , with . To obtain the multiplet, its highest-weight state must have and be killed by . On the two possible product states, the raising operator gives the same multiple of , so their difference is required. Normalization and successive lowering giveFor example , and lowering once more gives the last expression. These states are all antisymmetric under interchanging the two constituents.
Identical spin-one particles are bosons, so the total state must be symmetric. Its spin factor is antisymmetric and must therefore multiply an antisymmetric spatial factor. Two particles in the same one-particle orbital have zero antisymmetric spatial state. The lowest allowed choice isFor distinguishable particles there is no exchange-symmetry constraint. Both can occupy the ground orbital, giving and lowest energy , again with three spin states.
New to topics? Read the docs here!