On the separation of identical particles in quantum mechanics

Abstract

It is often said, in connection with the Pauli principle of quantum mechanics, that 'if the spatial wavefunction is symmetric under a coordinate swap, the particles huddle together; if antisymmetric, they spread apart'. While this saying is often true, this essay uncovers a counterexample.

Publisher

IOP Publishing

Publication Date

11-1-2020

Publication Title

European Journal of Physics

Department

Physics and Astronomy

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aba9f3

Keywords

Identical particles, Pauli principle, Exchange symmetry

Language

English

Format

text

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