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Indistinguishable Particles in Quantum Mechanics
This lecture covers the concept of indistinguishable particles in quantum mechanics, focusing on the symmetry of the wavefunction for bosons and fermions. It discusses the density matrix, partition function, and the origin of quantum statistics. The lecture also delves into the many-particle states and the implications of indistinguishability on the wavefunction, including the exclusion principle and the behavior of bosons and fermions. Examples are provided to illustrate the effects of particle exchanges and the introduction of new correlations in symmetrized wavefunctions.