Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2017 / ii / Paper 3 / 32C (Principles of Quantum Mechanics)

Put $N_a=a^{†}a$ and $N_b=b^{†}b$. The canonical commutation relations give $[N_a,a^{†}]=a^{†}$, $[N_a,a]=-a$, and the analogous relations for $b$, with all cross-mode operators commuting. Consequently $[K_3,K_{+}]=K_{+}$ and $[K_3,K_{-}]=-K_{-}$. Alsoso $[K_{+},K_{-}]=N_a-N_b=2K_3$. This is the Schwinger boson representation of the angular momentum algebra, with $\hslash =1$ in the stated commutators.

The vacuum has $N_a=N_b=0$, and $(a^{†}{)}^2|0⟩$ has occupation numbers $(2,0)$, hence $K_3$ eigenvalue $1$. With $N=N_a+N_b$,Thus $\boxed{K^2(a^{†}{)}^2|0⟩=2(a^{†}{)}^2|0⟩}$. It is the highest-weight state of the spin-one irreducible representation. There are two other states in this multiplet, $a^{†}{b}^{†}|0⟩$ and $(b^{†}{)}^2|0⟩$, with $K_3$ eigenvalues $0,-1$. A normalized basis is $(a^{†}{)}^2|0⟩/\sqrt{2}$, $a^{†}{b}^{†}|0⟩$, $(b^{†}{)}^2|0⟩/\sqrt{2}$. This count assumes the usual two-mode bosonic Fock space; an extra unmentioned vacuum multiplicity could replicate the multiplet.