Spin-statistics Theorem - A Suggestive Bogus Argument

A Suggestive Bogus Argument

Consider the two-field operator product

where R is the matrix which rotates the spin polarization of the field by 180 degrees when one does a 180 degree rotation around some particular axis. The components of phi are not shown in this notation, has many components, and the matrix R mixes them up with one another.

In a non-relativistic theory, this product can be interpreted as annihilating two particles at positions x and −x with polarizations which are rotated by π (180°) relative to each other. Now rotate this configuration by π around the origin. Under this rotation, the two points and switch places, and the two field polarizations are additionally rotated by a . So you get

which for integer spin is equal to

and for half integer spin is equal to

(proved here). Both the operators still annihilate two particles at and . Hence we claim to have shown that, with respect to particle states: . So exchanging the order of two appropriately polarized operator insertions into the vacuum can be done by a rotation, at the cost of a sign in the half integer case.

This argument by itself does not prove anything like the spin/statistics relation. To see why, consider a nonrelativistic spin 0 field described by a free Schrödinger equation. Such a field can be anticommuting or commuting. To see where it fails, consider that a nonrelativistic spin 0 field has no polarization, so that the product above is simply:

In the nonrelativistic theory, this product annihilates two particles at x and −x, and has zero expectation value in any state. In order to have a nonzero matrix element, this operator product must be between states with two more particles on the right than on the left:

Performing the rotation, all that you learn is that rotating the 2-particle state gives the same sign as changing the operator order. This is no information at all, so this argument does not prove anything.

Read more about this topic:  Spin-statistics Theorem

Famous quotes containing the words suggestive and/or argument:

    Many of the phenomena of Winter are suggestive of an inexpressible tenderness and fragile delicacy. We are accustomed to hear this king described as a rude and boisterous tyrant; but with the gentleness of a lover he adorns the tresses of Summer.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Coming out, all the way out, is offered more and more as the political solution to our oppression. The argument goes that, if people could see just how many of us there are, some in very important places, the negative stereotype would vanish overnight. ...It is far more realistic to suppose that, if the tenth of the population that is gay became visible tomorrow, the panic of the majority of people would inspire repressive legislation of a sort that would shock even the pessimists among us.
    Jane Rule (b. 1931)