Spin eigenstate (source code)

= Spin eigenstate
{title2=$|s,m\rangle$}

A spin eigenstate along a specified axis is a simultaneous <eigenstate> of the squared <spin> operator $S^2$ and its component $S_{\hat n}$. Its <eigenvalues> are $\hbar^2s(s+1)$ and $\hbar m$, where $m=-s,-s+1,\ldots,s$. The axis must be specified because components along different axes generally do not commute. For <spin one-half>, the two field-axis eigenstates have projections $\pm\hbar/2$ and form the branches of a <Stern-Gerlach experiment>.