The uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer.
The quantum uncertainty principle stipulates that when one observable is predictable there must be some other observables that are unpredictable. The principle is viewed as holding the key to many quantum phenomena and understanding it deeper is of great interest in the study of the foundations of q...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Journal article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2014
|
| _version_ | 1826258838541565952 |
|---|---|
| author | Dahlsten, O Garner, A Vedral, V |
| author_facet | Dahlsten, O Garner, A Vedral, V |
| author_sort | Dahlsten, O |
| collection | OXFORD |
| description | The quantum uncertainty principle stipulates that when one observable is predictable there must be some other observables that are unpredictable. The principle is viewed as holding the key to many quantum phenomena and understanding it deeper is of great interest in the study of the foundations of quantum theory. Here we show that apart from being restrictive, the principle also plays a positive role as the enabler of non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. First we note that instantaneous action at a distance should not be possible. We show that for general probabilistic theories this heavily curtails the non-classical dynamics. We prove that there is a trade-off with the uncertainty principle that allows theories to evade this restriction. On one extreme, non-classical theories with maximal certainty have their non-classical dynamics absolutely restricted to only the identity operation. On the other extreme, quantum theory minimizes certainty in return for maximal non-classical dynamics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T18:40:19Z |
| format | Journal article |
| id | oxford-uuid:0ca5f007-56a3-49fe-bff7-7b9be3cddb71 |
| institution | University of Oxford |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T18:40:19Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | oxford-uuid:0ca5f007-56a3-49fe-bff7-7b9be3cddb712022-03-26T09:36:08ZThe uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:0ca5f007-56a3-49fe-bff7-7b9be3cddb71EnglishSymplectic Elements at OxfordNature Publishing Group2014Dahlsten, OGarner, AVedral, VThe quantum uncertainty principle stipulates that when one observable is predictable there must be some other observables that are unpredictable. The principle is viewed as holding the key to many quantum phenomena and understanding it deeper is of great interest in the study of the foundations of quantum theory. Here we show that apart from being restrictive, the principle also plays a positive role as the enabler of non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. First we note that instantaneous action at a distance should not be possible. We show that for general probabilistic theories this heavily curtails the non-classical dynamics. We prove that there is a trade-off with the uncertainty principle that allows theories to evade this restriction. On one extreme, non-classical theories with maximal certainty have their non-classical dynamics absolutely restricted to only the identity operation. On the other extreme, quantum theory minimizes certainty in return for maximal non-classical dynamics. |
| spellingShingle | Dahlsten, O Garner, A Vedral, V The uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. |
| title | The uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. |
| title_full | The uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. |
| title_fullStr | The uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. |
| title_full_unstemmed | The uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. |
| title_short | The uncertainty principle enables non-classical dynamics in an interferometer. |
| title_sort | uncertainty principle enables non classical dynamics in an interferometer |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dahlsteno theuncertaintyprincipleenablesnonclassicaldynamicsinaninterferometer AT garnera theuncertaintyprincipleenablesnonclassicaldynamicsinaninterferometer AT vedralv theuncertaintyprincipleenablesnonclassicaldynamicsinaninterferometer AT dahlsteno uncertaintyprincipleenablesnonclassicaldynamicsinaninterferometer AT garnera uncertaintyprincipleenablesnonclassicaldynamicsinaninterferometer AT vedralv uncertaintyprincipleenablesnonclassicaldynamicsinaninterferometer |