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Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Experimental Methods for Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy Combined with Polarization-Variable Laser
Published on: June 28, 2018
How many properties of spin does a particle have?
Alberto Corti1, Marco Sanchioni2
1Department of Philosophy, University of Geneva, 5, rue de Candolle, CH-1211, Genéve 4, Switzerland; Department of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Urbino, Via Timoteo Viti 10, I-61029, Urbino, Italy.
This study explores quantum mechanics, viewing observables as determinable properties and eigenvalues as determinates. It introduces Spin Monism and Pluralism, favoring a novel Spin Monism for quantum ontology.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Mechanics
- Philosophy of Physics
Background:
- Self-adjoint operators commonly represent quantum system properties.
- The determinable-determinate relation offers a new framework for understanding quantum observables, particularly spin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the implications of modeling spin using the determinable-determinate relation.
- To present and evaluate Spin Monism and Pluralism.
- To introduce a novel account of Spin Monism.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of quantum mechanics and its philosophical underpinnings.
- Development of a taxonomy for views on spin observables.
- Argumentation in favor of Spin Monism.
Main Results:
- Identified two main families of views: Spin Monism and Pluralism.
- Demonstrated that current literature lacks a clear stance between these views.
- Proposed a new, compelling account of Spin Monism.
Conclusions:
- The determinable-determinate framework offers a valuable perspective on quantum observables.
- The proposed Spin Monism provides new avenues for exploring quantum mechanical ontology.
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