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I am trying to calculate $\sigma_1 \otimes \sigma_2 + \sigma_2 \otimes \sigma_1$ as a inner product. My attempt

Inner[KroneckerProduct, {PauliMatrix[1], PauliMatrix[2]}, {PauliMatrix[2], PauliMatrix[1]}, Plus]

does not work. Any idea why?

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    $\begingroup$ Inner strips all list levels from {PauliMatrix[1], PauliMatrix[2]}, not just the outer braces. Since Inner does not have a level option, I would say it is not suitable for the task. $\endgroup$ – Felix Mar 16 '17 at 19:47
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    $\begingroup$ You could do Inner[KroneckerProduct, {a, b}, {b, a}, Plus] /. {a -> PauliMatrix[1], b -> PauliMatrix[2] }. $\endgroup$ – march Mar 17 '17 at 3:43
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    $\begingroup$ ... also Plus @@ MapThread[ KroneckerProduct, {{PauliMatrix[1], PauliMatrix[2]}, {PauliMatrix[2], PauliMatrix[1]}}] $\endgroup$ – kglr Mar 26 '17 at 22:32
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Utilizing march's comment.

You want to first construct an inner product, then insert Pauli matrices:

f[a_, b_] = Inner[KroneckerProduct, {a, b}, {b, a}, Plus]
f[PauliMatrix[1], PauliMatrix[2]] // MatrixForm

enter image description here

Note the usage of Set (=) instead of the usual SetDelayed (:=).

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Some Inactive[] trickery gets the job done:

With[{p1 = Inactive[PauliMatrix][1], p2 = Inactive[PauliMatrix][2]}, 
     Inner[Inactive[KroneckerProduct], {p1, p2}, {p2, p1}, Plus] // Activate]
   {{0, 0, 0, -2 I}, {0, 0, 0, 0}, {0, 0, 0, 0}, {2 I, 0, 0, 0}}

(Use Hold[]/ReleaseHold[] in earlier versions.)

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Plus @@ MapThread[KroneckerProduct, {#, Reverse@#} &[PauliMatrix /@ {1, 2}]] // MatrixForm

Mathematica graphics

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