PHY-803 Quantum Mechanics

MS/PhD Physics
Fall Semester 2022
Lecture-2: Stern-Gerlach Experiment
16-09-2022

Prof. Dr. Shahid Iqbal

Department of Physics,
School of Natural Sciences, NUST H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Learning objectives of the lecture

 Quantization of Spin

 Stern-Gerlach Experiment

 Polarization of light

 Quantum Superposition

 Summary and HW exercise

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An overview of previous discussion

First quarter of 20th century (1900-1925):

• Recognizing the sever limitations of ‘cherished classical theory’ in explaining numerous experimental observations at
microscopic level

• Development of new alternative ideas to explain such experimental observations that revolutionized history of science.

• Using these ‘modern ideas’ the great masters- Schrodinger, Heisenberg and Dirac, among many other- finally succeeded
in formulating a comprehensive new theory which now a day called “Quantum Mechanics”

• Most of the experiments, that we discussed so far, were about quantization of radiation
field and wave nature of particles: wave-particle duality

• Here we discuss another important experiment indicating quantization of Spin: The Stern-
Gerlack experiment
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Stern-Gerlach Experiment

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Stern-Gerlach Experiment
• Silver atom is made up of Nucleus and 47 electrons

• Atom as a whole does have an angular momentum which is solely due to its spin
angular momentum of 47th (5s) electron

• The nucleus is ~2 x105 times heavier than the electron, hence, heavy atom as a
whole does have magnetic moment which is proportional to electrons’ spin.

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Stern-Gerlach Experiment

What will happen if the magnetic moment is interacted with external magnetic field B?

The interaction energy of the magnetic moment with external magnetic field B =

The z component of the force experience by the atom:

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Sequential Stern-Gerlack Experiments

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Sequential Stern-Gerlach Experiments

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Analogy with polarization of light

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Summary and HW exercises

1. Using the simple concepts of sequential Stern-Gerlach set-up, it

is shown that Sz and Sx components of spin cannot be measured
simultaneously.

2. Compare this result with the corresponding measurement

results of components of classical spin angular momentum

3. Derive the relation (1.1.2) for the force experienced on silver

atoms when passed through the non-uniform external applied
magnetic field.

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Thanks

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