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Question

$\sigma_x, \sigma_y$, and $\sigma_z$ are the Pauli matrices. The expression $2\sigma_x \sigma_y + \sigma_y \sigma_x$ is equal to

The correct answer is
$i\sigma_z$

Simplifying Pauli Matrix Expression

The problem requires simplifying the expression $2\sigma_x \sigma_y + \sigma_y \sigma_x$ using the properties of Pauli matrices $\sigma_x, \sigma_y, \sigma_z$. We need to find the value of this expression.

Pauli Matrix Properties

Recall the fundamental commutation and anti-commutation relations for Pauli matrices:

  • $\sigma_x \sigma_y = i\sigma_z$
  • $\sigma_y \sigma_x = -i\sigma_z$

These relations are key to solving the problem.

Expression Evaluation

Substitute the known products of Pauli matrices into the given expression:

  1. Start with the expression: $2\sigma_x \sigma_y + \sigma_y \sigma_x$
  2. Substitute $\sigma_x \sigma_y = i\sigma_z$: $2(i\sigma_z) + \sigma_y \sigma_x$
  3. Substitute $\sigma_y \sigma_x = -i\sigma_z$: $2(i\sigma_z) + (-i\sigma_z)$
  4. Simplify the terms: $2i\sigma_z - i\sigma_z$
  5. Combine the terms: $(2 - 1)i\sigma_z$
  6. Final result: $i\sigma_z$

Therefore, the expression $2\sigma_x \sigma_y + \sigma_y \sigma_x$ simplifies to $i\sigma_z$.

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Important Questions from Spin Electron Spin Pauli Matrices

  1. Consider the Pauli matrices $\sigma_x = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ 1 & 0 \end{pmatrix}$, $\sigma_y = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & -i \\ i & 0 \end{pmatrix}$, $\sigma_z = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 0 \\ 0 & -1 \end{pmatrix}$.

    The value of $\text{Tr}(\sigma_z [\sigma_x, \sigma_y])$ is
  2. The Hamiltonian of two interacting spin-1/2 particles is $H = \frac{A}{\hbar^2} \vec{S}_1 \cdot \vec{S}_2$, where $\vec{S}_1$ and $\vec{S}_2$ are the spin angular momenta of particles 1 and 2, respectively. Here, $A = 10.56 \text{ eV}$. The energy in eV required to induce an excitation from the ground state to the excited state (rounded off to two decimal places) is _____
  3. An electron with mass $m$ and charge $q$ is in the spin up state $\begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \end{pmatrix}$ at time $t = 0$. A constant magnetic field is applied along the y-axis, $\vec{B} = B_0 \hat{j}$, where $B_0$ is a constant. The Hamiltonian of the system is $H = -\hbar \omega \sigma_y$, where $\omega = \frac{q B_0}{2m} > 0$ and $\sigma_y = \begin{pmatrix} 0 & -i \\ i & 0 \end{pmatrix}$. The minimum time after which the electron will be in the spin down state along the x-axis, i.e., $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \begin{pmatrix} 1 \\ -1 \end{pmatrix}$, is

  4. Consider two non-identical spin $\frac{1}{2}$ particles labelled $1$ and $2$ in the spin product state $|\frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{2}\rangle_1 |\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{1}{2}\rangle$. The Hamiltonian of the system is 
    $H = \frac{4\lambda}{\hbar^2} \vec{S}_1 \cdot \vec{S}_2$, 
    where $\vec{S}_1$ and $\vec{S}_2$ are the spin operators of particles $1$ and $2$, respectively, and $\lambda$ is a constant with appropriate dimensions. What is the expectation value of $H$ in the above state?

  5. A spin $\frac{1}{2}$ particle is in a spin up state along the $x$-axis (with unit vector $\hat{x}$) and is denoted as $|\frac{1}{2}, \frac{1}{2}\rangle_x$. What is the probability of finding the particle to be in a spin up state along the direction $\hat{x}'$, which lies in the $xy$-plane and makes an angle $\theta$ with respect to the positive $x$-axis, if such a measurement is made?
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