Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2008 / ii / Paper 3 / 32D (Principles of Quantum Mechanics)

Represent spin by $J_i=(\hslash /2){\sigma }_i$ in the basis $|\uparrow ⟩,|\downarrow ⟩$. The Pauli matrices are Hermitian and satisfy $[{\sigma }_i,{\sigma }_j]=2i{ϵ}_{ijk}{\sigma }_k$, giving the general angular momentum commutation relations $[J_i,J_j]=i\hslash {ϵ}_{ijk}{J}_k$. The particular representation has $J^2=3{\hslash }^{2}I/4$ and $J_3$ eigenvalues $\pm \hslash /2$, the features specific to spin one-half.

In the stated order of two-particle basis vectors, the operator isIts eigenvalue-one vectors are $|\uparrow \uparrow ⟩$, $|\downarrow \downarrow ⟩$ and $(|\downarrow \uparrow ⟩+|\uparrow \downarrow ⟩)/\sqrt{2}$, all symmetric under interchange. The eigenvalue-minus-three vector is $(|\downarrow \uparrow ⟩-|\uparrow \downarrow ⟩)/\sqrt{2}$, antisymmetric under interchange. These are the triplet state and singlet state, respectively.

Identical spin-half particles are fermions. With no other degrees of freedom to carry antisymmetry, only the singlet is allowed. Indeed, for total angular momentum $J=(\hslash /2)({\sigma }^{(A)}+{\sigma }^{(B)})$,This gives $2{\hslash }^2$ on the triplet and zero on the singlet, corresponding to total spin one and zero, as required by addition of angular momentum.