Quantum Mechanics - Spin Angular Momentum

Two ions 1 and 2, at fixed separation, with spin angular momentum operators S1 and S2, have the interaction Hamiltonian H = −J S1·S2, where J > 0. The values of S1² and S2² are fixed at S1(S+ 1) and S2(S+ 1), respectively. Which of the following is the energy of the ground state of the system?

A. 0
B. –JS1S2
C. –J[S1(S+ 1) – S2(S+ 1)]
D. –(J/2)[(SS2)(S+ S+ 1) – S1(S1+1) – S2(S2+1)]
E. –(J/2)[(S1(S+ 1) + S2(S+ 1))/(SS2)(S+ S+ 1)]
(GR9677 #77)
Solution:

S1² ψ S1(S+ 1) ψ
S2² ψ S2(S+ 1) ψ
Si² ψ Si(Si + 1) ψ

H = −J S1·S2

Using general arithmetic equation: ab = ½ [(a + b)² − a² − b²]
H = −(J/2)[(S1 + S2)² − S1² − S2²]

Since Si² ψ Si(Si + 1) ψ
For (S1 + S2)² → replace Si with S1 + S2
→ (S1 + S2)² ψ (SS2)(SS2 + 1) ψ

H = −(J/2)[(SS2)(SS2 + 1) − S1(S+ 1) − S2(S+ 1)]

Answer: D 

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