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I understand there are selection rules in spectroscopy and quantum mechanics which governs whether a transition happens or not. For example, in atomic spectroscopy, the total orbital angular momentum quantum number $L$ can only change by plus or minus one:

$$\Delta L = \pm 1$$

I'd like to know the derivation of this selection rule, but I dont know where to start from.

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  • $\begingroup$ I assume you mean atomic spectroscopy, but please edit if I have misinterpreted. $\endgroup$
    – orthocresol ♦
    May 26, 2020 at 18:15
  • $\begingroup$ The photon is spin 1. Note that this is not an absolute rule. $\endgroup$
    – Jon Custer
    May 26, 2020 at 18:19
  • $\begingroup$ yes i mean atomic spectroscopy, sorry! How could I continue on from this @JonCuster $\endgroup$
    – Eurus delielio
    May 26, 2020 at 19:54
  • $\begingroup$ It is due to the photon, whose spin is equal to $1$. If a photon is absorbed, this spin is not lost. It must change the quantum number of the target. $\endgroup$
    – Maurice
    May 26, 2020 at 20:36
  • $\begingroup$ Angular momentum is always conserved. The photon has one unit and so the atoms's angular momentum must change by this amount also. When examining the equations, involving the dipole $E.x$ induced in the atom(or molecule) by the radiation and the wavefunctions, the selection rules are found so that a solution is not zero, i.e. there is a finite chance of absorbing a photon. In one dimension the equations have the form $E\int\psi_f x\psi_idx$ where $\psi_{i,j}$ are the initial and final wavefunctions and $x$ the displacement that causes the dipole, and $E$ the amplitude of the radiation. $\endgroup$
    – porphyrin
    May 27, 2020 at 8:33

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