Oxford University Press eBooks

Bosons and Fermions

William J. Mullin

Published Mar 16, 2017• 0 citations

Abstract

Bosons have symmetric wave function under particle exchange, while fermions have antisymmetric wave functions. This leads to differences in behavior of the two kinds of particles even in the gaseous state. Strong repulsive forces between atoms at close range are due to the Pauli principle that forbids two electrons to be in the same energy or position state. A repulsive Pauli pressure operates similarly in white dwarf stars. Bosons undergo Bose–Einstein condensation because of Bose statistics. The wave function symmetry of particles with spin can affect the magnetic states and the behavior of transport properties, for example, viscosity and thermal conductivity. The symmetry properties of bosons at a beam splitter are demonstrated in the Hong–Ou–Mandel effect or in a Michelson interferometer via the Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect. Researchers see boson bunching and fermion antibunching in experiments considered.

DOI: 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198795131.003.0011

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