Chapter Two

Matrix Formulation of Quantum Mechanics

Matrix representation of operators

The vector A in three dimension can be represent as:

∧ ∧ ∧
A = i Ax + j Ay + k Az

∧ ∧ ∧
Where i , j and k are the unit vectors represent the magnitude of A in x,
y and z directions. So, these unit vectors are "BASIS" to represent the
vector. Also we know that;

∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
i .i = j . j = k .k = 1 ≡ normalized

∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
i . j = j . k = k . i = ... = 0 ≡ orthogonal

Hence,

A.B = Ax .Bx + Ay By + Az Bz

 Bx 
 
= (Ax Ay Az )  By 
B 
 z
Matrix of A Matrix of B

So, we can represent the vector in three dimensions by a column or a row

matrix. Similarly the BASIS can be done as follows;

 1 0  0 
∧   ∧   ∧  
i =  0  , j =  1  and k =  0 
0  0   1
     

Where,
 0   1
∧ ∧   ∧ ∧  
i . j = (1 0 0 ) 1  = 0 And i .i = (1 0 0 ) 0  = 1
0  0 
   

In N dimension the vector A is represent as;

n
A = η1 A1 + η 2 A2 + η 3 A3 + ...... + η n An = ∑η i Ai
i =1

Where η1 ,η 2 ,....,η n are unit vectors (or basis) satisfying the relation;

ηn .ηm = δ nm

Thus,
 B1 
 
 B2 
A.B = A1 B1 + A2 B2 + ..... + An Bn =  A1 A2 A3 ....An   B3 
  
 . 
B 
 n
Matrix of A Matrix of B
Also the basis can be put in the matrix form as follows;

 1 0  0 
     
0   1 0 
η1 =  0  , η 2 =  0  ,……., η n =  0 
     
 .  .  .
0  0   1
     
In order to represent the wave functions and operators by matrices
we have to use the complete orthonormal eigen functions ϕi as a basis to
represent the wave function .i.e.

〈ϕ i | ϕ j 〉 = δ ij

n
ψ = c1ϕ1 + c2ϕ 2 + c3ϕ3 + ..... + cnϕ n = ∑ ciϕ i
i =1
 n
U = b1ϕ1 + b2ϕ 2 + b3ϕ 3 + ...... + bnϕ n = ∑ biϕi
i =1

The overlap integral of ψ and U is;

n m
〈ψ | U 〉 = ∑ ∑ ci*b j 〈ϕ i | ϕ j 〉
i =1 j =1

= ∑∑ c*i b jδ ij
i j

〈ψ | U 〉 = ∑ ci*bi
i

= c1* b1 + c*2b2 + ....... + c*nbn

 b1 
 
b 
= (c1* c*2 .... c*n )  2 
.
 
 bn 
Matrix of ψ Matrix of U

The basis in matrix form are;

 1 0  0 
     
0   1 0 
ϕ1 =  0  , ϕ 2 =  0  , ……, ϕ n =  0 
     
 .  .  .
0  0   1
     
 ∧
The operator A defined by;
∧
Aψ = U
∧
A ∑ ciϕ i = ∑ biϕi
i i

∑ c ϕ Aϕ
i
i
*
j i
= ∑ biϕ *jϕi
i

∧
∑ ci 〈ϕ j | A | ϕi 〉 = ∑ bi 〈ϕ j | ϕi 〉
i i

= ∑ biδ ji
i

∑ c ( A)
i
i ji = bj

Where j = 1,2 ,3 ,.....,n

Note: we must remember that most of the operators in Q.M. are

hermetion because it represents a real physical quantity (Why?).
i.e. A ji = Aij*
∧
Proof: A ji = 〈ϕ j | A | ϕi 〉
∧
= ∫ ϕ *j Aϕi dτ
∧
= ∫ ϕi ( Aϕ j )* dτ
*

= ∫ ϕi* Aϕ j dτ 
∧

 
*
 ∧  *
= 〈ϕ i | A | ϕ j 〉  = Aij
 

For j=1 c1 A11 + c2 A12 + .... + cn A1n = b1

j=2 c1 A21 + c2 A22 + .... + cn A2 n = b2
j=3 c1 A31 + c2 A32 + .... + cn A3 n = b3
……………………………
……………………………
 c1 An1 + c2 An 2 + .... + cn Ann = bn
In matrix form;
 A11 A12 .... A1n   c1   b1 
    
 A21 A22 .... A2 n   c2   b2 
 .... =
..... .... ....   .   . 
    
 An 1 An 2 .... Ann   cn   bn 
∧
Matrix of A Matrix Matrix
of ψ of ϕ

Where each element Aji is called matrix element.

The set of quantities Aji with all possible j and i values is called
∧
matrix of A (or matrix of the quantity A), and each of Aji is called the
matrix element which corresponds to the transition from state i to state j.

∧
Now if the basis ϕi are an eigen function of A . i.e.

∧
Aϕ i = aiϕ i
∧
( A )ji = 〈ϕ j \ Aϕi 〉 = ai 〈ϕ j \ ϕi 〉 = aiδ ji

∴ Aji = [ a j ,i = j
0 ,i ≠ j

∧
Then the matrix of A is diagonal

 A11 0 0 .... 0 
 
∧
0 A22 0 .... 0 
∴ A=
.... .... .... .... .... 
 
0 0 0 .... Ann 
Matrix Element of the Angular Momentum

∧2
L Ylm = h 2 l( l + 1 )Ylm
∧2
( L )m′ ,m = h 2l( l + 1 )δ m′ ,m
= alδ m′ ,m
∧2 ∧2
Then the only non- zero matrix elements of ( L ) are ( L )m′ ,m which
equal to h 2 l( l + 1 ) where l = 0 ,1,2 ,....,n − 1 and m = 0 ,m1,m2 ,.....,ml

 al 0 0 .... 0
 
∧2
 0 al 0 .... 0
L =  0 0 al .... 0
 
 .... .... .... .... ....
0 0 0 .... al 


∧
For the z- component l z
∧
l z Ylm = mhYlm
∧
( l z )m′ ,m = mhδ m′ ,m

∧ ∧
Then the non- zero matrix element of ( l z ) are ( l )m′ ,m which equal to mh ,
where m = 0 ,m1,m2 ,.....,ml

0 0 0 .... 0 
 
∧
0 mh 0 .... 0 
lz =  0 0 m 2h .... 0 
 
 .... .... .... .... .... 
0 m lh 
 0 0 ....
 ∧
Since the spherical harmonics Ylm is not an eigen function of l x
∧
and l y , the matrices of each of these operators can not be found directly
∧2 ∧
as in the case for L and l z . However, to do that we have to define the
following operators;
∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
l + = l x + i l y and l − = l x − i l y
Now;
l∧ z ,l∧ +  = l∧ z l∧ + − l∧ + l∧ z
 
∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
= l z ( l x + i l y ) − ( l x + i l y )lz
∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
= l z l x − l x l z + i (l z l y − l y l z )
∧ ∧
= ih l y + i( −ih l x )
∧ ∧
= h( l x + i l y )
l∧ z ,l∧ +  = h l∧ + ..............( 1 )
 

H.w: l z ,l −  = −h l − ..........( 2 )

∧ ∧ ∧

 
From equation (1)
∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
l z l+ = h l + + l+ l z
∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
l z l + Ylm = h l + Ylm + l + l z Ylm
∧ ∧
= h( l + Ylm ) + mh( l + Ylm )
∧
= h( m + 1 )( l + Ylm )
∧
It is seen that the function ( l + Ylm ) is an eigen function of the operator
∧
( l z ) with an eigen value ( m + 1 )h .

Similarly one can find that;

∧ ∧ ∧
l z ( l − Ylm ) = ( m − 1 )h( l − Ylm )
∧ ∧
Where the function ( l − Ylm ) is an eigen function of the operator ( l z ) with
an eigen value ( m − 1 )h.

Now let,
∧
l + Ylm = αYlm′
∧ ∧ ∧
So, l z ( l + Ylm ) = α l z Ylm′
= αm′hYlm′
But,
∧ ∧ ∧
l z ( l + Ylm ) = ( m + 1 )h( l + Ylm )
= ( m + 1 )hαYlm′
Then
( m + 1 )hαYlm′ = αm′hYlm′
⇒ m′ = m + 1
Hence;
∧
l + Ylm = αYlm+1

∧
This means that ( l + ) is a creative operator since it turns Ylm to Ylm+1 .
∧
therefore the non-zero matrix elements of l + are;
∧
( l + )m+1,m = α .............( 3 )

In a similar procedure if it is assumed that;

∧
l − Ylm = αYlm′
∧ ∧ ∧
So, l z ( l − Ylm ) = α l z Ylm′
= αm′hYlm′
But,
∧ ∧ ∧
l z ( l − Ylm ) = ( m − 1 )h( l − Ylm )
= α ( m − 1 )hYlm′
Then
αm′hYlm′ = α ( m − 1 )hYlm′
⇒ m′ = m − 1

This means
∧
l − Ylm = αYlm−1

∧
So, one can say that the operator ( l − ) is a destructive operator when it is
operator on Ylm will turn it to Ylm−1 and the non-zero matrix element of
∧
( l − ) are;
∧
( l − )m−1,m = α ............( 4 )

From equation (3) and (4) we find;

∧ ∧
( l + )m+1,m = ( l − )m−1,m = α .............( 5a )

Or equivalently;
∧ ∧
( l + )m ,m−1 = ( l − )m ,m+1 = α .............( 5b )

In order to find α we have to follow the following procedure;

∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
l + l − = ( l x + i l y )( l x − i l y )
∧2 ∧2 ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
= lx + l y − i l x l y + i l y l x
∧2 ∧2 ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
= l x + l y + i( l y l x − l x l y )
∧2 ∧ ∧
2
= L − l z + h lz
Now;
∧ ∧ ∧2 ∧ ∧
l + l − \ lm〉 = L \ lm〉 − l z \ lm〉 + h l z \ lm〉
{ }
= h 2 l(l + 1) − h 2 m 2 + h 2 m | lm〉
∧ ∧
{
〈 l ′m′ | l + l − | lm〉 = h 2 l (l + 1) − m 2 + m δ l ′lδ m ′m }
∧ ∧
∴ ( l + l − )mm = h 2 ( l + m )( l − m + 1 ) .............( 6 )

From the definition of matrix multiplication we have;

∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
( l + l − )mm = ∑ ( l + )mn ( l − )nm
n

From equation (5) we find;

2

= ( l + )m ,m−1 
∧ ∧ ∧ ∧ ∧
( l + l − )mm = ( l + )m ,m+1 .( l − )m−1,m ..........( 7 )
 
From equations (6) and (7) we have;
∧ 1
α = ( l + )m ,m−1 = h{( l + m )( l − m + 1 )} 2 ........( 8 a )
Or;
∧ 1
α = ( l − )m−1,m = h{( l + m )( l − m + 1 )} 2 ........( 8b )

∧ ∧
Now we can find the matrix elements of ( l x ) and ( l y ) as follows;
∧ ∧ ∧
l+ + l− = 2 lx
∧ ∧ ∧
2 l x Ylm −1 = l + Ylm −1 + l − Ylm −1
∧ ∧ ∧
2(l x ) m,m −1 = (l + ) m, m −1 + (l − ) m, m −1
∧ ∧
It had been found that the non-zero matrix elements of ( l + ) and ( l − ) are
those;
∧ ∧
( l + )m ,m−1 and ( l − )m+1,m
∧
Thus the non-zero matrix elements of l x are;
∧
1 ∧ h 1
( l x )m ,m−1 = ( l + )m ,m−1 = {( l + m )( l − m + 1 )} 2
2 2
Or;
∧
1 ∧ h 1
H.w: ( l x )m−1,m = ( l − )m−1,m = {( l + m )( l − m + 1 )} 2
2 2
∧ ∧ ∧
l + − l − = 2i l y
∧ ∧ ∧
2i( l y )m ,m−1 = ( l + )m ,m−1 − ( l − )m ,m−1
∧
1 ∧
∴ ( l y )m ,m−1 = ( l + )m ,m−1 = α
2i
− ih 1
= {( l + m )( l − m + 1 )} 2
2
Or;
∧ ∧ ∧
2i( l y )m−1 ,m = ( l + )m−1,m − ( l − )m−1 ,m
∧
= −( l − )m−1,m = α
∧
ih 1
( l y )m−1,m = {( l + m )( l − m + 1 )} 2
2
∧ ∧
∴ ( l y )m ,m−1 = −( l y )m−1,m
III. Matrix Treatment:

Before going in details one have to realize the following;

d dA
I) for a system in a stationary state 〈 A〉 = 〈 〉
dt dt
Proof:
∧
〈 A〉 = ∫ψ (*r ,t ) Aψ ( r ,t ) dτ = ∫ψ (*r ,t ) Aψ ( r ,t ) dτ
i i
Et − Et
= ∫ψ (*r )e h Aψ ( r )e h
dτ

= ∫ψ (*r ) Aψ ( r )dτ
d dA
〈 A〉 = ∫ψ (*r ) ψ ( r )dτ
dt dt
= ∫ψ (*r ) A& ψ ( r ) dτ
∧
⋅
= ∫ψ (*r ) Aψ ( r ) dτ

= 〈 A& 〉
dA
=〈 〉
dt
∧
e.g. 〈 x〉 = ∫ψ (*x ,t ) xψ ( x ,t )dx

〈 x〉 = ∫ψ (*x ,t ) xψ ( x ,t ) dx

〈 x〉 = ∫ψ (*x ) xψ ( x ) dx
d
〈 x〉 = ∫ψ (*x ) x&ψ ( x ) dx
dt
∧

d .
〈 x〉 = ∫ψ (*x ) xψ ( x ) dx
dt
∧
dx
= ∫ψ (*x ) ( )ψ ( x ) dx
dt
dx
=〈 〉
dt
 ∧
II) 〈 A〉 = ∫ψ * Aψ dτ
∧
= ∑∑ c*n cm ∫ψ n* Aψ m dτ
n m

= ∑∑ c*n cm Anm ( t )
n m

These set of quantities Anm ( t ) with all possible n and m values is

called matrix of A quantity, and each of Anm ( t ) is called the matrix
element corresponding to the transition from state m to state n.
Since;
−i
Et
ψ n ( r ,t ) = ψ n ( r ).e h
Thus;
i
( En − Em ) t
Anm ( t ) = Anm e h
= Anm eiω nmt

Where ωnm = ( En − Em ) / h is the transition frequency between state n to

and m.
d
( Anm ( t )) = A& nm ( t )
dt
= iωnm Anm eiω nm t

= iωnm Anm ( t )
Now canceling the time factor the both sides we get;
i
A& nm = iωnm Anm = ( En − Em ) Anm
h
−
−& ∂V
By using the Ehrenfest's theorem p = − one may find the
∂x
equation of motion for the H.O. to be;
∧
.. ∧
x+ ω 2 x = 0
∧
.. ∧

∫ψ xψdx +ω ∫ψ xψdx = 0
* 2 *

∑∑ c
m n
*
c
m n
{∫ψ *
m
&x&ψ n dx + ω 2 ∫ψ m* xψ n dx} = 0
∑∑ c c {&x&
m n
*
m n mn
+ ω 2 xmn } = 0

⇒ &x&mn + ω 2 xmn = 0
But;
&x&mn = iωmn x& mn
= iωmn .( iωmn xmn )
2
= −ωmn xmn
2
∴ (ωmn − ω 2 ) xmn = 0
⇒ ωmn = mω

Then the only non-zero matrix elements are those for which ωmn = ω and
ωmn = −ω .

If we number all the stationary states so that the frequencies m ω

correspond to transitions n → n m 1. i.e. ωmn = ωn m1, n = mω. then the only
non-zero matrix elements are xn ,nm1 .

n+1
+ω n
−ω n −1

Suppose that the wave functions ψ are taken to be real, so;

∧
xmn = ∫ψ m* xψ n dx = ∫ψ m* xψ n dx
∧
= ∫ψ n ( xψ m )* dx = ∫ψ n* xψ m dx
∴ xmn = xnm

This means that the matrix xmn is symmetrical.

In order to calculate the matrix elements xmn we may use the
following commutation rule;
 p∧ , x∧  = −ih
 x 
∧ ∧
. ∧ ∧ .
x x − x x = −ih / m

In matrix form;
( x&x )mn − ( xx& )mn = ( −ih / m )δ mn
Using the matrix multiplication rule;
( fg ) mn = ∑ f ml gln
l

We have;
∑ {x&ml xln − xml x&ln } = (−ih / m)δ mn
l

i ∑ {ωml xml xln − xml ωln xln } = (−ih / m)δ mn

l

For m=n
i ∑ {ω nl xnl xln − xnlωln xln } = ( −ih / m )
l

Since xnl = xln and ωnl = −ωln

Then
2i ∑ {ωnl xn2l } = ( −ih / m )
l

In this sum only the terms with l = n m 1 are different from zero, so;
{ω x 2
n ,n −1 n ,n−1 + ωn ,n+1 xn2,n+1} = −h / 2 m
Q ωn ,n−1 = −ωn ,n+1 = +ω

∴ xn2, n −1 − xn2, n +1 = −h / 2mω ..........( 1 )

Let n=0 be the number of the lowest state, so x0 ,−1 must be zero. Thus
application of equation (1) will lead to;
xn2,n+1 = [( n + 1 )h / 2mω ]
And so;
− h ( n + 1 )h nh
xn2,n−1 = + =
2 mω 2 mω 2 mω
( n + 1 )h nh
∴ xn ,n+1 = xn+1,n = and xn ,n−1 = xn−1 ,n =
2 mω 2 mω
Now the energy eigen values can be found as follows;
∧ ∧ ∧
H = T +V( x )
∧ 2
∧2
1 . 1
= m x + mω x 2

2 2
In matrix form;
1 2 1
H mn = mx& mn + mω 2 xmn
2

2 2
1 1
= m( iωmn xmn )2 + mω 2 xmn
2

2 2
1
= m∑ {( i )2 ωml xml .ωln xln + ω 2 xml xln }
2 l
1
{
En = H nn = m∑ − ωnl xnl .ωln xln + ω 2 xnl xln , ωln = −ωnl
2 l
}
1
= m∑ {ωn2l + ω 2 }xn2l
2 l
1
{
= m (ωn2, n −1 + ω 2 ) xn2, n −1 + (ωn2, n +1 + ω 2 ) xn, n +1
2
}
1  nh ( n + 1)h 
= m (ω 2 + ω 2 ). + ((−ω ) 2 + ω 2 ). 
2  2mω 2mω 
1  2 nh ( n + 1 )h 
= m2ω . + 2ω 2 . 
2  2mω 2mω 
1  nhω ( n + 1 )hω 
= m + 
2  m m 
1
= ( 2n + 1 )hω
2
1
∴ E n = h ω( n + ) where n=0, 1, 2, ……
2
In order to deduce the wave functions ψ n we can show that the only non-
∧
.
zero matrix elements of the operator ( x ± iωx ) are;
2nhω
H.W: ( x& − iωx )n−1,n = −( x& + iωx )n ,n−1 = −i
m
From this equation it can be realized that;
( x&ˆ − iωxˆ )ψ o = 0
∧
. ∧
∴ xψ o = iω xψ o
h dψ o
−i = iωxψ o
m dx
dψ o  mω 
= − x
ψo  h 
x
 mω  x 
2

lnψ o ]ψ
ψ(x)
= −  
(o)
 h  2 0
⇒ ψ o ( x ) = ψ o ( 0 ) exp( − mωx 2 / 2h )

1
H.W: ψ o (0) = (mω / πh) 4

∧
. ∧
2 nhω
Since ( x + iω x )ψ n−1 = i ψn
m
⇒
m  − ih d 
ψn =  + ωx ψ n−1
2 nhω  mi dx 
m  h d 
= −   + ωx ψ n−1
2 nhω   m  dx 
However by repeating the same procedure one may finally reach the
following recurrence formula;
1 2 mω
ψ n = ( mω / h / 2n n! π ) 2 e− mω x / 2h
Hn (x )
h
 2 nhω
Problem: Show that; ( x& − iωx )n−1,n = −( x& + iωx )n ,n−1 = −i
m
∧
∧ . ∧
Solution: Assume that; f = x− iω x

In matrix form;
f mn = x&mn − iωxmn
= iωmn xmn − iωxmn
= i( ωmn − ω ) xmn
Since the only non-zero matrix elements of xmn are xnm1 ,n and thus
ωn−1,n = −ω . So;
f n−1,n = i( ωn−1,n − ω ) xn−1,n
nh 2 nωh
= −2iωxn−1,n = −2iω = −i
2 mω m
Similarly;
∧
∧ .
f = x + iωx
f nm = xnm + iωxnm = i( ωnm + ω )xnm
⇒
f n ,n−1 = i( ωn ,n−1 + ω ) xn ,n−1
nh 2ωnh
= 2iω =i
2 mω m

∧+
nh ∧
H.W: Given xn ,n−1 = and x&mn = iωmn xmn find the form of a and a .
2 mω
Spin Angular Momentum

Indeed analytical investigation of spin angular momentum is an

advanced problem in Q.M. and required to start from Dirac's equation
rather than S.E.. But, by making use a simple comparison between orbital
and its counterpart spin angular momentum one may reach a considerable
results. In accordance to equations;

Lˆ2Yl m (θ , ϕ ) = h 2l (l + 1)Yl m (θ , ϕ )
and
lˆzYl m (θ , ϕ ) = mhYl m (θ , ϕ )

In addition to the physical concept of the angular momentum one can set
up the following equations;

∧2
S α ms = h 2 s( s + 1)α ms
and,
S zα ms = mms hα ms
Where,
s = 12 and ms = ± 12
However, α1/2 and α-1/2 are spin wave functions for spin up and down
respectively. So,
∧2 Ŝ zα 1 = 12 hα 1
S α ± 1 = 34 h 2α ± 1 and 2 2
1 hα 1
2 2
Ŝ zα − 1 = − 2 −2
2

For simplicity one may assume α1/2 =α1 and α-1/2 =α2 . Hence,

i = 12
α= ∑ ci α i
i = − 12
α = c α + c− α −
1 1i 1 1i
2 2 2 2

α = c1α 1 + c 2α 2

2
I) Matrix of Ŝ

∧2 ∧2
According to, S α1 = h 2 s (s + 1)α1 and S α 2 = h 2 s( s + 1)α 2
One may built up the matrix of this operator to be;
 ∧2 ( Sˆ 2 )12   4 h 0  3 2  1 0
 ( Sˆ 2 ) 3 2
S =  2 11 = 3 h2
= 4h  
( Sˆ ) 21 ( Sˆ 2 ) 22   0 4  0 1 

II) Matrix of Ŝ z

Similarly, with aid of equations,

∧ ∧
S z α 1 = 12 hα1 and S z α 2 = − 12 hα 2

Matrix of this operator can be built as in the form;

∧  (Sˆ ) ( Sˆ z )12   12 h 0  1 1 0  1
S z =  z 11  = 1 h  2 0 − 1 2
= h = hσˆ z
( Sˆ ) ( Sˆ )  0 −   
 z 21 z 22   2 

Now,

∧ α  1 0  α1  1 α1  1  α 1 
S z  1  = 12 h     = 2 h α  = 2 h − α 
α 2  0 − 1 α 2   2  2

III) Matrix of Ŝ x

Assume that;
∧ ∧
S x α 1 → α1′ and S x α 2 → α 2′

Which can be given as a linear superposition in terms of spin up and spin

down wave functions as follows;

∧
α1′ = S x α1 = a11α1 + a12α 2
∧
α 2′ = S x α 2 = a11α1 + a12α 2

From equation;
∧
( S x )11 = a11δ 11 + a12δ 12 = a11
∧
( S x ) 21 = a11δ 21 + a12δ 22 = a12
While equation gives;
∧
( S x )12 = a 21δ 11 + a 22δ 12 = a 21
∧
( S x ) 22 = a 21δ 21 + a 22δ 22 = a 22

Regarding angular momentum investigation. i.e.

∧ ∧ h 1
( l x ) m−1,m = (l x ) m,m−1 = {(l + m)(l − m + 1)} 2
2
The following formula may set up;
∧ ∧ h
{(s + ms )(s − ms + 1)} 2 = h
1
( S x ) ms −1,ms = ( S x ) ms ,ms −1 =
2 2
Therefore, the only non-zero matrix element of the x-component of spin
angular momentum are those for ms=1/2. i.e.
∧ ∧
(S x ) 1 ,− 1 and ( S x ) 1 ,− 1
2 2 2 2

Which equal to ½ћ. Then,

∧  (Sˆ ) ( Sˆ x )12   0 1 h
0 1  1
S x =  x 11 =
2
 = 12 h   = 2 hσˆ x
ˆ ( Sˆ x ) 22   12 h 0  1 0 
(S x ) 21

Now;
∧ α  0 1 α 1  1 α 2 
S x  1  = 12 h     = 2 h α 
α 2  1 0 α 2   1

IV) Matrix of Ŝ y

Following a similar procedure one may get the y-component matrix

of spin angular momentum. Again assume that;
∧ ∧
S y α 1 → α1′ and S y α 2 → α 2′

Which can be given as a linear superposition in terms of α1 and α2 as

follows;

∧
α1′ = S y α 1 = a11α1 + a12α 2
∧
α1′ = S y α 2 = a11α1 + a12α 2

Hence;
 ∧
( S y )11 = a11δ 11 + a12δ 12 = a11
∧
( S y ) 21 = a11δ 21 + a12δ 22 = a12
∧
( S y )12 = a 21δ 11 + a 22δ 12 = a 21
∧
( S y ) 22 = a 21δ 21 + a 22δ 22 = a 22

In accordance to relation;
∧ ∧ i 1
( l y ) m,m−1 = −(l x ) m−1,m = − h{(l + m)(l − m + 1)} 2
2
The following formula may set up;
∧ ∧ i 1 i
( S x ) ms ,m−1s = −( S x ) ms −1,ms = − h{(s + m s )(s − m s + 1)} 2 = − h
2 2
Therefore, the only non-zero matrix element of the y-component of spin
angular momentum are those for ms=1/2. i.e.
∧ ∧ i
( S y ) 1 ,− 1 = - ( S y ) 1 ,− 1 = − h
2 2 2 2
2
Then,

∧  ( Sˆ ) (Sˆ y )12   0 −ih 1 0 − i  1

S y =  y 11  = i 2
= h = hσ̂ y
ˆ ˆ
( S y ) 21 (S y ) 22   2 h 0  2  i 0  2

Now;
∧ α  0 − i  α1  i − α 2 
S y  1  = 12 h    = 2 h α 
α 2   i 0  α 2   1 

The matrices σx, σy, σz called Pauli's Spin Matrices.