Past exam of the advanced quantum physics course of the University of Cambridge / 2018 / Section A / 1 / a / Solution

Use $|m_1,m_2⟩$ for a product of the two individual spin-one spin eigenstates, with magnetic quantum numbers $m_i=-1,0,1$. Total $S_z=0$ requires $m_1+m_2=0$, leaving preciselyHere these are product labels, not labels of the total angular momentum. Write their coefficients in this order as $\alpha ,\beta ,\gamma$. With physical spin ladder operators $S_{\pm }=S_{1\pm }+S_{2\pm }$, each nonzero individual step has amplitude $\sqrt{2}\hslash$, soBoth must vanish for a singlet state. The independent product states therefore require $\alpha =\gamma =-\beta$. Wavefunction normalization gives the spin-one singlet stateup to an overall quantum phase. Conversely, $S_z|\psi ⟩=S_{+}|\psi ⟩=0$ implies $S^2|\psi ⟩=0$ through $S^2=S_{-}{S}_{+}+S_z^2+\hslash S_z$, so these conditions really select total spin zero. Distinguishability imposes no additional exchange restriction. The ladder hint uses dimensionless angular momentum units; restoring its common factor $\hslash$ does not change the coefficient ratios.