nLab Pauli exclusion principle

Idea

In physics, the Pauli exclusion principle (Pauli 25) states that no two spinors may inhabit the same quantum state. This is a consequence of the spin-statistics theorem, which states that spinors must be fermions.

Mathematically this is the statement that fermion fields are the odd-graded elements of a superalgebra of functions in supergeometry.

The Pauli exclusion principle implies that fermions, as opposed to bosons, may form solid bodies that do not necessarily collapse under their own gravity (as opposed to bosonic condensates): the exclusion principle induces an outward pressure, the degeneracy pressure (see also at Fermi sea and neutron star). It is used in the explanation of the stability of matter of the second kind.

Related concepts

• spin-statistics theorem

• Slater determinant

References

General

• Wolfgang Pauli, Über den Zusammenhang des Abschlusses der Elektronengruppen im Atom mit der Komplexstruktur der Spektren, Zeitschrift für Physik, 31 1 (1925) 765-783 [doi:10.1007/BF02980631]

• Wolfgang Pauli, Über Gasentartung und Paramagnetismus, Zeitschrift für Physik: A Hadrons and nuclei 41 (1927) 81–102 [doi:10.1007/BF01391920]

• Wikipedia, Pauli exclusion principle

Relation to s-rule for D-brane intersections

An interpretation of the s-rule for D-brane intersections with NS5-branes (Dp-D(p+2) brane intersections and Dp-D(p+4) brane intersections) as a version of the Pauli exclusion principle is discussed in:

• Constantin Bachas, Michael Green, Adam Schwimmer, Section 2.3 of: $(8,0)$ Quantum mechanics and symmetry enhancement in type I’ superstrings, JHEP 9801 :006, 1998 (arXiv:hep-th/9712086)

• Constantin Bachas, Michael Green, A Classical Manifestation of the Pauli Exclusion Principle, JHEP 9801 (1998) 015 (arXiv:hep-th/9712187)