Application of Matrices to Pauli's Spin Theory

Author

Clinnon O. Harvey, Prairie View A&M College

Date of Award

8-1969

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Discipline

Mathematics

Abstract

Early quantum theory led to some false predictions, particularly with regards to the finer details of the energy states of atoms and the magnetic properties of electron. It was soon apparent that the state of a single electron could not he represented as a function of three space coordinates alone, but that another parameter was required whose interpretation was for some time in doubt. Most decisive in clarifying the situation was the spectroscopic observation of the doubling of the energy levels of a single electron.

We begin in Chapter II with the fundamental properties of the quantum-mechanical operators associated with orbital angular momentum and show the relationship between spin angular momentum and orbital angular momentum. In Chapter III, we find some of the properties of auxiliary operators associated with spin. In Chapter IV, we find what matrices will satisfy the conditions discovered in Chapter III. The writer wishes you a pleasant mathematical journey through the following pages.

Committee Chair/Advisor

A. D. Stewart

Publisher

Prairie View A&M College

Rights

Date of Digitization

3-23-2022

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Harvey, C. O. (1969). Application of Matrices to Pauli's Spin Theory. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-theses/1383