Total angular momentum quantum number
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In atomic physics, the total angular quantum momentum numbers parameterize the total angular momentum of a given electron, by combining its orbital angular momentum and its intrinsic angular momentum (i.e., its spin).
If s is the electron spin angular momentum and l its orbital angular momentum vector, the total angular momentum j is
- <math>\mathbf j = \mathbf s + \mathbf l</math>
The associated quantum number is the main total angular momentum quantum number j. It can take the following values:
- <math>|l - s| \le j \le l + s</math>
where l is the azimuthal quantum number (parameterizing the orbital angular momentum) and s is the spin quantum number (parameterizing the spin).
The relation between the total angular momentum vector j and the total angular momentum quantum number j is given by the usual relation (see angular momentum quantum number)
- <math> \Vert \mathbf j \Vert = \sqrt{j \, (j+1)} \, \hbar</math>
the vector's z-projection is given by
- <math>j_z = m_j \, \hbar</math>
where mj is the secondary total angular momentum quantum number. It ranges from −j to +j in steps of one. This generates 2j + 1 different values of mj.
See also
- principal quantum number
- orbital angular momentum quantum number
- magnetic quantum number
- spin quantum number
- angular momentum coupling
References
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