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Pauli exclusion principle (Definition)

The Pauli exclusion principle states that fermions are antisymmetric under particle exchange, and that as a consequence no two fermions may occupy the same quantum state. Mathematically, the exchange operator for a two-body wavefunction is

$\displaystyle \hat{X} \psi(1, 2) = g \psi(2, 1) $
Normalisation considerations tell us that the eigenvalue, $ g$ must be either $ \pm 1$ (as the operator must conserve probability). The Pauli exclusion principle then states that the eigenvalue is $ +1$ for bosons and $ -1$ for fermions, and that a wavefunction with an eigenvalue of $ -1$ describes particles that cannot occupy the same quantum state. The spin-statistics theorem states that these particles are fermions, with half-integer spin.



"Pauli exclusion principle" is owned by invisiblerhino.
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See Also: fermion, boson

Also defines:  exchange operator

Cross-references: spin, theorem, bosons, operator, fermions
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This is version 1 of Pauli exclusion principle, born on 2008-03-26.
Object id is 277, canonical name is PauliExclusionPrinciple.
Accessed 770 times total.

Classification:
Physics Classification10. (THE PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS )

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