The Physics Behind Symmetrization

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2606.22298v1
• Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2026 01:48:32 GMT
• Title: The Physics Behind Symmetrization
• Abstract summary: It is often asserted that quantum states for same-type particles must be symmetrized due to label redundancy''<n>I discuss this counterexample with critical attention to an extant portrayal in the literature that omits pertinent physical content.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: It is often asserted that quantum states for same-type particles must be symmetrized due to ``label redundancy,'' i.e. the assumption that the permutations of labels in direct-product states do not reflect any real physical distinction and thus their permutations constitute an ``exchange degeneracy''. This assumption is directly challenged by the case of scattering of same-type particles such as electrons, which involves two physically distinct scattering channels effectively corresponding to permutation of the labels. I discuss this counterexample with critical attention to an extant portrayal in the literature that omits pertinent physical content. I further note ways in which the assumption that symmetrization must be universally imposed is not supported by actual calculations of particle interactions, nor by seemingly viable particle states based on preparations and outcomes.

Related papers

• Intrinsic Indistinguishability of Identical Particles and How Particle Labels Affect It [0.0]
  We investigate indistinguishability of identical bosons and fermions undergoing arbitrary evolutions of their visible degrees of freedom.<n>We reveal a strikingly counterintuitive effect: introducing additional particle label states can increase the multiparticle indistinguishability of identical particles.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-06-28T10:13:42Z)
• Symmetries, Conservation Laws and Entanglement in Non-Hermitian Fermionic Lattices [37.69303106863453]
  Non-Hermitian quantum many-body systems feature steady-state entanglement transitions driven by unitary dynamics and dissipation.<n>We show that the steady state is obtained by filling single-particle right eigenstates with the largest imaginary part of the eigenvalue.<n>We illustrate these principles in the Hatano-Nelson model with periodic boundary conditions and the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-04-11T14:06:05Z)
• Observation of non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence in non-chiral non-unitary quantum dynamics of single photons [31.05848822220465]
  In non-Hermitian systems, preserved chiral symmetry is one of the key ingredients, which plays a pivotal role in determining non-Hermitian topology.<n>We theoretically predict and experimentally demonstrate the bulk-boundary correspondence of a one-dimensional (1D) non-Hermitian system with chiral symmetry breaking.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-04-07T09:43:43Z)
• Symmetric observations without symmetric causal explanations [39.11025912171117]
  Inferring causal models from observed correlations is a challenging task, crucial to many areas of science.<n>In order to alleviate the effort, it is important to know whether symmetries in the observations correspond to symmetries in the underlying realization.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-20T19:00:00Z)
• Indistinguishability of identical bosons from a quantum information theory perspective [0.0]
  We present a general theory of indistinguishability of identical bosons in experiments consisting of passive linear optics followed by particle number detection. We identify the expectation value of the projector onto the $N$-particle symmetric subspace as an operationally meaningful measure of indistinguishability. We show that these states are diagonal in the computational basis up to a permutationally invariant unitary.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-07-13T08:45:51Z)
• Reconstruction of Quantum Particle Statistics: Bosons, Fermions, and Transtatistics [0.0]
  We classify quantum particle statistics based on operationally well-motivated assumptions. We develop a complete characterization, which includes bosons and fermions as basic statistics with minimal symmetry.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-09T14:22:38Z)
• Time-dependent theory of scattering a particle on a one-dimensional $\delta$-potential [0.0]
  Modern time-dependent quantum theory of scattering a particle on a one-dimensional $delta$-potential is internally inconsistent. One-particle states should be identified with vector functionals on the algebra of operators, and not with vectors or rays in Hilbert space.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-05-19T14:54:01Z)
• Topologically bound states, non-Hermitian skin effect and flat bands, induced by two-particle interaction [91.3755431537592]
  We study theoretically repelling quantum states of two spinless particles in a one-dimensional tight-binding model. We demonstrate, that when the particles are not identical, their interaction drives nontrivial correlated two-particle states.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-11-11T07:34:54Z)
• Observation-dependent suppression and enhancement of two-photon coincidences by tailored losses [68.8204255655161]
  Hong-Ou-Mandel (HOM) effect can lead to a perfect suppression of two-particle coincidences between the output ports of a balanced beam splitter. In this work, we demonstrate experimentally that the two-particle coincidence statistics of two bosons can instead be seamlessly tuned to substantial enhancement. Our findings reveal a new approach to harnessing non-Hermitian settings for the manipulation of multi-particle quantum states.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-05-12T06:47:35Z)
• Quantum indistinguishability through exchangeable desirable gambles [69.62715388742298]
  Two particles are identical if all their intrinsic properties, such as spin and charge, are the same. Quantum mechanics is seen as a normative and algorithmic theory guiding an agent to assess her subjective beliefs represented as (coherent) sets of gambles. We show how sets of exchangeable observables (gambles) may be updated after a measurement and discuss the issue of defining entanglement for indistinguishable particle systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-05-10T13:11:59Z)
• Quantum particle across Grushin singularity [77.34726150561087]
  We study the phenomenon of transmission across the singularity that separates the two half-cylinders. All the local realisations of the free (Laplace-Beltrami) quantum Hamiltonian are examined as non-equivalent protocols of transmission/reflection. This allows to comprehend the distinguished status of the so-called bridging' transmission protocol previously identified in the literature.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-11-27T12:53:23Z)
• Direct observation of the particle exchange phase of photons [0.0]
  The symmetry of the states can be inferred indirectly from the fact that neglecting the correct exchange symmetry in the theoretical analysis leads to dramatic discrepancies with the observations. We have measured the exchange phase of indistinguishable photons, providing direct evidence of the bosonic character of photons.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-11-17T17:04:29Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.