Uncertainty Relation for Errors Focusing on General POVM Measurements with an Example of Two-State Quantum Systems

A novel uncertainty relation for errors of general quantum measurement is presented. The new relation, which is presented in geometric terms for maps representing measurement, is completely operational and can be related directly to tangible measurement outcomes. The relation violates the naïve bound ℏ/2 for the position-momentum measurement, whilst nevertheless respecting Heisenberg’s philosophy of the uncertainty principle. The standard Kennard–Robertson uncertainty relation for state preparations expressed by standard deviations arises as a corollary to its special non-informative case. For the measurement on two-state quantum systems, the relation is found to offer virtually the tightest bound possible; the equality of the relation holds for the measurement performed over every pure state. The Ozawa relation for errors of quantum measurements will also be examined in this regard. In this paper, the Kolmogorovian measure-theoretic formalism of probability—which allows for the representation of quantum measurements by positive-operator valued measures (POVMs)—is given special attention, in regard to which some of the measure-theory specific facts are remarked along the exposition as appropriate.     

Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation may be violated in a single measurement

The well-known Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation is an inequality between uncertainties of canonically conjugate observables in a given state. In this interpretation, the Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation is a rigorous mathematical theorem and is, therefore, always valid. However, the same inequality is often applied in the situation of measurement, where it is illustrated in a quite different way. The uncertainty relation is then an inequality connecting the precision (resolution) of the measurement of one observable and the uncertainty of the conjugate observable in the state arising after the measurement. It turns out that in such an interpretation the Heisenberg’s inequality may be violated for some measurement readouts that emerge with small but finite probabilities. Making use of the uncertainties averaged in a special way over all possible measurement readouts, one may formulate an inequality of the type of Heisenberg’s inequality but valid for any measurement. Paper submitted by the author in English on 28 April 2006.     

The Measurement-Disturbance Relation and the Disturbance Trade-off Relation in Terms of Relative Entropy

We employ quantum relative entropy to establish the relation between the measurement uncertainty and its disturbance on a state in the presence (and absence) of quantum memory. For two incompatible observables, we present the measurement-disturbance relation and the disturbance trade-off relation. We find that without quantum memory the disturbance induced by the measurement is never less than the measurement uncertainty and with quantum memory they depend on the conditional entropy of the measured state. We also generalize these relations to the case with multiple measurements. These relations are demonstrated by two examples.     

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle

Heisenberg's uncertainty principle is usually taken to express a limitation of operational possibilities imposed by quantum mechanics. Here we demonstrate that the full content of this principle also includes its positive role as a condition ensuring that mutually exclusive experimental options can be reconciled if an appropriate trade-off is accepted. The uncertainty principle is shown to appear in three manifestations, in the form of uncertainty relations: for the widths of the position and momentum distributions in any quantum state; for the inaccuracies of any joint measurement of these quantities; and for the inaccuracy of a measurement of one of the quantities and the ensuing disturbance in the distribution of the other quantity. Whilst conceptually distinct, these three kinds of uncertainty relations are shown to be closely related formally. Finally, we survey models and experimental implementations of joint measurements of position and momentum and comment briefly on the status of experimental tests of the uncertainty principle.     

Uncertainty relations for entangled states

A generalized uncertainty relation for an entangled pair of particles is obtained if we impose a symmetrization rule for all operators that we should employ when doing any calculation using the entangled wave function of the pair. This new relation reduces to Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation when the particles have no correlation and suggests that we can have new lower bounds for the product of position and momentum dispersions.     

Objective uncertainty relation with classical background in a statistical model

We show within a statistical model of quantization reported in the previous work based on Hamilton–Jacobi theory with a random constraint that the statistics of fluctuations of the actual trajectories around the classical trajectories in velocity and position spaces satisfy a reciprocal uncertainty relation. The relation is objective (observation independent) and implies the standard quantum mechanical uncertainty relation.     

Error Principle

The problem of characterizing the accuracy ofand disturbance caused by a joint measurement ofposition and momentum is investigated. In a previouspaper the problem was discussed in the context of the unbiased measurements considered by Arthurs andKelly. It is now shown that suitably modified versionsof these results hold for a much larger class ofsimultaneous measurements. The approach is a development of that adopted by Braginsky and Khalili in thecase of a single measurement of position only. Adistinction is made between the errors of retrodictionand the errors of prediction. Two error-errorrelationships and four error-disturbance relationships arederived, supplementing the uncertainty principle usuallyso-called. In the general case it is necessary to takeinto account the range of the measuring apparatus. Both the ideal case of an instrument havinginfinite range and the case of a real instrument forwhich the range is finite are discussed.     

Quantum mechanical tunnelling

It was shown earlier that during quantum mechanical tunnelling, a microscopic particle has a distributed probability of emission about its original energy and is not constrained to be field-emitted only at its initial energy. Such an energy distribution process appears obvious on the quantum theory of observation and measurement which relates the energy of a microscopic particle with the time required for its determination through the Heisenberg’s uncertainty relation. Here, an account of the tunnelling theory based upon the latter is presented. The consequent analysis gives rise to a spectrum in the energy of the transmitted electrons and also yields a method to estimate the tunnelling time as well as the tunnelling current density across an arbitrary barrier.     

Uncertainty Relations for Coherence

Quantum mechanical uncertainty relations are fundamental consequences of the incompatible nature of noncommuting observables. In terms of the coherence measure based on the Wigner-Yanase skew information, we establish several uncertainty relations for coherence with respect to von Neumann measurements, mutually unbiased bases(MUBs), and general symmetric informationally complete positive operator valued measurements(SIC-POVMs),respectively. Since coherence is intimately connected with quantum uncertainties, the obtained uncertainty relations are of intrinsically quantum nature, in contrast to the conventional uncertainty relations expressed in terms of variance,which are of hybrid nature(mixing both classical and quantum uncertainties). From a dual viewpoint, we also derive some uncertainty relations for coherence of quantum states with respect to a fixed measurement. In particular, it is shown that if the density operators representing the quantum states do not commute, then there is no measurement(reference basis) such that the coherence of these states can be simultaneously small.     

Quantum noise in the mirror–field system: A field theoretic approach

We revisit the quantum noise problem in the mirror–field system by a field-theoretic approach. Here a perfectly reflecting mirror is illuminated by a single-mode coherent state of the massless scalar field. The associated radiation pressure is described by a surface integral of the stress-tensor of the field. The read-out field is measured by a monopole detector, from which the effective distance between the detector and mirror can be obtained. In the slow-motion limit of the mirror, this field-theoretic approach allows to identify various sources of quantum noise that all in all leads to uncertainty of the read-out measurement. In addition to well-known sources from shot noise and radiation pressure fluctuations, a new source of noise is found from field fluctuations modified by the mirror’s displacement. Correlation between different sources of noise can be established in the read-out measurement as the consequence of interference between the incident field and the field reflected off the mirror. In the case of negative correlation, we found that the uncertainty can be lowered than the value predicted by the standard quantum limit. Since the particle-number approach is often used in quantum optics, we compared results obtained by both approaches and examine its validity. We also derive a Langevin equation that describes the stochastic dynamics of the mirror. The underlying fluctuation–dissipation relation is briefly mentioned. Finally we discuss the backreaction induced by the radiation pressure. It will alter the mean displacement of the mirror, but we argue this backreaction can be ignored for a slowly moving mirror.     

Super-symmetric informationally complete measurements

Symmetric informationally complete measurements (SICs in short) are highly symmetric structures in the Hilbert space. They possess many nice properties which render them an ideal candidate for fiducial measurements. The symmetry of SICs is intimately connected with the geometry of the quantum state space and also has profound implications for foundational studies. Here we explore those SICs that are most symmetric according to a natural criterion and show that all of them are covariant with respect to the Heisenberg–Weyl groups, which are characterized by the discrete analog of the canonical commutation relation. Moreover, their symmetry groups are subgroups of the Clifford groups. In particular, we prove that the SIC in dimension 2, the Hesse SIC in dimension 3, and the set of Hoggar lines in dimension 8 are the only three SICs up to unitary equivalence whose symmetry groups act transitively on pairs of SIC projectors. Our work not only provides valuable insight about SICs, Heisenberg–Weyl groups, and Clifford groups, but also offers a new approach and perspective for studying many other discrete symmetric structures behind finite state quantum mechanics, such as mutually unbiased bases and discrete Wigner functions.     

Effects of Hawking Radiation on the Entropic Uncertainty in a Schwarzschild Space‐Time

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle describes a basic restriction on an observer's ability of precisely predicting the measurement of a pair of noncommuting observables, and virtually is at the core of quantum mechanics. Herein, the aim is to study the entropic uncertainty relation (EUR) under the background of a Schwarzschild black hole and its control. Explicitly, dynamical features of the measuring uncertainty via entropy are developed in a practical model where a stationary particle interacts with its surrounding environment while another particle—serving as a quantum memory reservoir—undergoes free fall in the vicinity of the event horizon of the Schwarzschild space‐time. It shows higher Hawking temperatures would give rise to an inflation of the entropic uncertainty on the measured particle. This is suggestive of the fact the measurement uncertainty is strongly correlated with degree of mixing present in the evolving particles. Additionally, based on information flow theory, a physical interpretation for the observed dynamical behaviors related with the entropic uncertainty in such a genuine scenario is provided. Finally, an efficient strategy is proposed to reduce the uncertainty by non‐tracing‐preserved operations. Therefore, our explorations may improve the understanding of the dynamic entropic uncertainty in a curved space‐time, and illustrate predictions of quantum measurements in relativistic quantum information sciences.     

Entanglement and the process of measuring the position of a quantum particle

We explore the entanglement-related features exhibited by the dynamics of a composite quantum system consisting of a particle and an apparatus (here referred to as the “pointer”) that measures the position of the particle. We consider measurements of finite duration, and also the limit case of instantaneous measurements. We investigate the time evolution of the quantum entanglement between the particle and the pointer, with special emphasis on the final entanglement associated with the limit case of an impulsive interaction. We consider entanglement indicators based on the expectation values of an appropriate family of observables, and also an entanglement measure computed on particular exact analytical solutions of the particle–pointer Schrödinger equation. The general behavior exhibited by the entanglement indicators is consistent with that shown by the entanglement measure evaluated on particular analytical solutions of the Schrödinger equation. In the limit of instantaneous measurements the system’s entanglement dynamics corresponds to that of an ideal quantum measurement process. On the contrary, we show that the entanglement evolution corresponding to measurements of finite duration departs in important ways from the behavior associated with ideal measurements. In particular, highly localized initial states of the particle lead to highly entangled final states of the particle–pointer system. This indicates that the above mentioned initial states, in spite of having an arbitrarily small position uncertainty, are not left unchanged by a finite-duration position measurement process.     

A rigorous uncertainty relation (Cauchy Inequality) for an electromagnetic field in quantum superpositions of coherent states and in a two-photon coherent state

It is shown that the Heisenberg uncertainty relation (or soft uncertainty relation) determined by the commutation properties of operators of electromagnetic field quadratures differs significantly from the Robertson–Schrödinger uncertainty relation (or rigorous uncertainty relation) determined by the quantum correlation properties of field quadratures. In the case of field quantum states, for which mutually noncommuting field operators are quantum-statistically independent or their quantum central correlation moment is zero, the rigorous uncertainty relation makes it possible to measure simultaneously and exactly the observables corresponding to both operators or measure exactly the observable of one of the operators at a finite measurement uncertainty for the other observable. The significant difference between the rigorous and soft uncertainty relations for quantum superpositions of coherent states and the two-photon coherent state of electromagnetic field (which is a state with minimum uncertainty, according to the rigorous uncertainty relation) is analyzed.     

Uncertainty relations for joint measurements of noncommuting observables

Universally valid uncertainty relations are proven in a model independent formulation for inherent and unavoidable extra noises in arbitrary joint measurements on single systems, from which Heisenberg's original uncertainty relation is proven valid for any joint measurements with statistically independent noises.     

Pilot study of methods and equipment for in-home noise level measurements

Knowledge of the auditory and non-auditory effects of noise has increased dramatically over the past decade, but indoor noise exposure measurement methods have not advanced appreciably, despite the introduction of applicable new technologies. This study evaluated various conventional and smart devices for exposure assessment in the National Children’s Study. Three devices were tested: a sound level meter (SLM), a dosimeter, and a smart device with a noise measurement application installed. Instrument performance was evaluated in a series of semi-controlled tests in office environments over 96-h periods, followed by measurements made continuously in two rooms (a child’s bedroom and a most used room) in nine participating homes over a 7-day period with subsequent computation of a range of noise metrics. The SLMs and dosimeters yielded similar A-weighted average noise levels. Levels measured by the smart devices often differed substantially (showing both positive and negative bias, depending on the metric) from those measured via SLM and dosimeter, and demonstrated attenuation in some frequency bands in spectral analysis compared to SLM results. Virtually all measurements exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency’s 45 dBA day–night limit for indoor residential exposures. The measurement protocol developed here can be employed in homes, demonstrates the possibility of measuring long-term noise exposures in homes with technologies beyond traditional SLMs, and highlights potential pitfalls associated with measurements made by smart devices.     

Causal signal transmission by quantum fields. VI: The Lorentz condition and Maxwell’s equations for fluctuations of the electromagnetic field

The general structure of electromagnetic interactions in the so-called response representation of quantum electrodynamics (QED) is analysed. A formal solution to the general quantum problem of the electromagnetic field interacting with matter is found. Independently, a formal solution to the corresponding problem in classical stochastic electrodynamics (CSED) is constructed. CSED and QED differ only in the replacement of stochastic averages of c-number fields and currents by time-normal averages of the corresponding Heisenberg operators. All relations of QED connecting quantum field to quantum current lack Planck’s constant, and thus coincide with their counterparts in CSED. In Feynman’s terms, one encounters complete disentanglement of the potential and current operators in response picture.     

On the implication of Bell’s probability distribution and proposed experiments of quantum measurement

In derivating of Bell’s inequalities, the probability distribution is supposed to be a function only of a hidden variable. We point out that the true implication of the probability distribution of Bell’s correlation function is the distribution of joint measurement outcomes on the two sides. It is therefore a function of both the hidden variable and the settings. In this case, Bell’s inequalities fail. Our further analysis shows that Bell’s locality holds neither for dependent events nor for independent events. We think that the measurements of EPR pairs are dependent events, and hence violation of Bell’s inequalities cannot rule out the existence of local hidden variable. To explain the results of EPR-type experiments, we suppose that a polarization-entangled photon pair can be composed of two circularly or linearly polarized photons with correlated hidden variables, and a couple of experiments of quantum measurement are proposed. The first uses delayed measurement on one photon of the EPR pair to demonstrate directly whether measurement on the other could have any nonlocal influence on it. Then several experiments are suggested to reveal the components of the polarization-entangled photon pair. The last one uses successive polarization measurements on a pair of EPR photons to show that two photons with the same quantum state behave the same under the same measuring conditions.