Fermion annihilation operators from position and momentum

In summary, while the formula for boson annihilation operator involves a combination of position and momentum, the expression for fermion annihilation operator requires the use of Grassmann numbers. This is due to the anticommutation relations between fermionic operators, which cannot be derived from commuting objects.
  • #1
haael
539
35
Is it possible to express fermion annihilation operator as a function of position and momentum?

I've seen on Wikipedia the formula for boson annihilation operator:
[tex]
\begin{matrix} a &=& \sqrt{m\omega \over 2\hbar} \left(x + {i \over m \omega} p \right) \\ a^{\dagger} &=& \sqrt{m \omega \over 2\hbar} \left( x - {i \over m \omega} p \right) \end{matrix}
[/tex]

But what about fermions? Is it possible to get anticommutation relations from canonical relations alone, or is it necessary to postulate something else?
 
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  • #2
haael said:
But what about fermions? Is it possible to get anticommutation relations from canonical relations alone, or is it necessary to postulate something else?
You have to use Grassmann numbers or something like that. This can be seen by inspection of the (fermionic) anti-commutators

[tex]\{b, b\} = 2b^2 = 0[/tex]
[tex]\{b^\dagger, b^\dagger\} = 2{b^\dagger}^2 = 0[/tex]

which cannot be derived from commuting objects.
 

Related to Fermion annihilation operators from position and momentum

1. What are Fermion annihilation operators?

Fermion annihilation operators are mathematical operators used in quantum mechanics to describe the annihilation of a fermion particle, such as an electron or proton. They play a crucial role in the study of particle interactions and dynamics.

2. How are Fermion annihilation operators related to position and momentum?

Fermion annihilation operators are intimately related to the position and momentum operators in quantum mechanics. They can be expressed as linear combinations of the position and momentum operators, making them a fundamental part of the mathematical framework used to describe quantum systems.

3. What is the significance of Fermion annihilation operators in quantum mechanics?

Fermion annihilation operators are essential in describing the behavior of fermion particles in quantum systems. They are used to calculate transition probabilities, energy levels, and other important properties of fermion particles.

4. Can Fermion annihilation operators be used to describe other types of particles?

No, Fermion annihilation operators are specific to fermion particles and cannot be used to describe other types of particles such as bosons. This is due to the fundamental differences in the behavior and properties of fermions and bosons.

5. How are Fermion annihilation operators represented in mathematical notation?

Fermion annihilation operators are typically represented by the symbol 'a' with a subscript denoting the specific fermion particle, such as 'ae' for an electron. They can also be represented in matrix form, depending on the specific quantum system being studied.

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