The Heisenberg uncertainty principle is one of the most famous features of quantum mechanics. However, the non-determinism implied by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle --- together with other prominent aspects of quantum mechanics such as superposition, entanglement, and nonlocality --- poses deep puzzles about the underlying physical reality, even while these same features are at the heart of exciting developments such as quantum cryptography, algorithms, and computing. These puzzles might be resolved if the mathematical structure of quantum mechanics were built up from physically interpretable axioms, but it is not. We propose three physically-based axioms which together characterize the simplest quantum system, namely the qubit. Our starting point is the class of all no-signaling theories. Each such theory can be regarded as a family of empirical models, and we proceed to associate entropies, i.e., measures of information, with these models. To do this, we move to phase space and impose the condition that entropies are real-valued. This requirement, which we call the Information Reality Principle, arises because in order to represent all no-signaling theories (including quantum mechanics itself) in phase space, it is necessary to allow negative probabilities (Wigner [1932]). Our second and third principles take two important features of quantum mechanics and turn them into deliberately chosen physical axioms. One axiom is an Uncertainty Principle, stated in terms of entropy. The other axiom is an Unbiasedness Principle, which requires that whenever there is complete certainty about the outcome of a measurement in one of three mutually orthogonal directions, there must be maximal uncertainty about the outcomes in each of the two other directions.
The Heisenberg uncertainty principle is one of the most famous features of quantum mechanics. However, the non-determinism implied by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle --- together with other prominent aspects of quantum mechanics such as superposition, entanglement, and nonlocality --- poses deep puzzles about the underlying physical reality, even while these same features are at the heart of exciting developments such as quantum cryptography, algorithms, and computing. These puzzles might be resolved if the mathematical structure of quantum mechanics were built up from physically interpretable axioms, but it is not. We propose three physically-based axioms which together characterize the simplest quantum system, namely the qubit. Our starting point is the class of all no-signaling theories. Each such theory can be regarded as a family of empirical models, and we proceed to associate entropies, i.e., measures of information, with these models. To do this, we move to phase space and impose the condition that entropies are real-valued. This requirement, which we call the Information Reality Principle, arises because in order to represent all no-signaling theories (including quantum mechanics itself) in phase space, it is necessary to allow negative probabilities (Wigner [1932]). Our second and third principles take two important features of quantum mechanics and turn them into deliberately chosen physical axioms. One axiom is an Uncertainty Principle, stated in terms of entropy. The other axiom is an Unbiasedness Principle, which requires that whenever there is complete certainty about the outcome of a measurement in one of three mutually orthogonal directions, there must be maximal uncertainty about the outcomes in each of the two other directions.
We often marvel at the beautiful randomness in quantum mechanics, but what if it is simply entropy fulfilling its role as dictated by causality? This paper explores the idea that Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle may not represent an intrinsic limitation, but rather a thermodynamic outcome, a cost we pay for achieving precision. We examine Gaussian wavefunctions, investigate entropic uncertainty, and demonstrate that increased knowledge of one variable (such as position) leads to a corresponding increase in entropy in its complementary variable (such as momentum). Nature does not conceal the truth; rather, the process of acquiring knowledge alters the equilibrium. By associating entropy with quantum uncertainty, we are not simply reinterpreting mathematics; We are redefining the implications of quantum indeterminacy. Perhaps the universe is not inherently uncertain; it is simply economical with certainty. We propose that the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle can be interpreted through the concept of entropy, framing it as an emergent characteristic of the system’s overall information content rather than merely a constraint imposed by quantum mechanics. Investigating this relationship may yield profound insights into the essence of quantum systems and their relationship with the macroscopic realm governed by thermodynamics. This paper offers both a philosophical and mathematical framework that unifies the ideas of entropy and uncertainty, providing a novel viewpoint on one of the most essential principles of quantum mechanics. By analyzing the influence of entropy on quantum uncertainty, this study contests traditional interpretations and encourages a renewed dialogue regarding the foundational principles of physics. It posits that uncertainty transcends mere measurement concerns and may be embedded in the very structure of the universe, prompting a reevaluation of how quantum mechanics integrates into the wider context of physical laws.
Uncertainty principle, which was first introduced by Werner Heisenberg in 1927, forms a fundamental component of quantum mechanics. A graceful aspect of quantum mechanics is that the uncertainty relations between incompatible observables allow for succinct quan- titative formulations of this revolutionary idea: it is impossible to simultaneously measure two complementary variables of a particle in precision. In particular, information theory offers two basic ways to express the Heisenberg’s principle: variance-based uncertainty relations and entropic uncertainty relations. We first investigate the uncertainty relations based on the sum of variances and derive a family of weighted uncertainty relations to provide an optimal lower bound for all situations. Our work indicates that it seems unreasonable to assume a priori that incompatible observables have equal contribution to the variance-based sum form uncertainty relations. We also study the role of mutually exclusive physical states in the recent work and generalize the variance-based uncertainty relations to mutually exclusive uncertainty relations. Next, we develop a new kind of entanglement detection criteria within the framework of marjorization theory and its matrix representation. By virtue of majorization uncertainty bounds, we are able to construct the entanglement criteria which have advantage over the scalar detect- ing algorithms as they are often stronger and tighter. Furthermore, we explore various expression of entropic uncertainty relations, including sum of Shannon entropies, majorization uncer- tainty relations and uncertainty relations in presence of quantum memory. For entropic uncertainty relations without quantum side information, we provide several tighter bounds for multi-measurements, with some of them also valid for Rényi and Tsallis entropies besides the Shannon entropy. We employ majorization theory and actions of the symmetric group to obtain an admixture bound for entropic uncertainty relations with multi-measurements. Comparisons among existing bounds for multi-measurements are also given. However,classical entropic uncertainty relations assume there has only classical side information. For modern uncertainty relations, those who allowed for non-trivial amount of quantum side information, their bounds have been strengthened by our recent result for both two and multi- measurements. Finally, we propose an approach which can extend all uncertainty relations on Shannon entropies to allow for quantum side information and discuss the applications of our entropic framework. Combined with our uniform entanglement frames, it is possible to detect entanglement via entropic uncertainty relations even if there is no quantum side in- formation. With the rising of quantum information theory, uncertainty relations have been established as important tools for a wide range of applications, such as quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution, entanglement detection, quantum metrology, quantum speed limit and so on. It is thus necessary to focus on the study of uncertainty relations.
Since its conception 90 years ago, the quantum uncertainty principle introduced by Werner Heisenberg lies behind most important features of quantum physics, and its implications have an impact that goes far beyond the physics community. This book focuses on the quantum uncertainty principle, providing an up-to-date examination of recent developments of its applications in quantum information theory. The book brings together several renowned experts working in the foundations of quantum mechanics and quantum information theory. The authors provide different approaches to the study of uncertainty relations and other fundamental aspects of the quantum formalism. Topics addressed include entanglement and Bell inequalities, the application of entropic information measures to the study of uncertainty inequalities, the characterization of deep learning networks in the context of adiabatic quantum computation, and the study of general properties of the set of quantum states. The content of this book will surely benefit both experienced and new researchers specializing in quantum information theory and the foundations of quantum mechanics.
The Heisenberg uncertainty principle constitutes one of the foundational pillars of quantum mechanics and represents a definitive rupture with the deterministic ideal of classical physics. This work develops a comprehensive analysis of the uncertainty principle from a mathematical, physical, and philosophical perspective, demonstrating that it should not be interpreted as an instrumental or epistemological limitation, but rather as an ontological property inherent to the formalstructure of quantum theory.Within the framework of Hilbert spaces, self-adjoint operators, and non-commutative algebras, it is shown that uncertainty emerges necessarily as a consequence of the structural incompatibility between conjugate observables. The study articulates the uncertainty principle with classical chaos theory and the sciences of complexity, establishing a fundamental distinction between epistemological unpredictability and ontological indeterminacy. While classical chaos preserves well-defined trajectories that are practically inaccessible, quantum mechanics eliminates the very notion of trajectory as a fundamental entity.This rupture manifests itself in the granularity of phase space, the impossibility of defining exact initial conditions, and the consequent reformulation of determinism. Contemporary experimental developments designed to exclude instrumental disturbances are analyzed, reinforcing the ontological interpretation of the uncertainty principle.Finally, the implications for simulation, predictability, and quantumOverall, this work argues that the uncertainty principle does not undermine scientific rationality, but rather redefines itsscope and deepens our understanding of physical reality. Keywords: uncertainty principle; quantum mechanics; mathematical structure; non-commutative operators; chaos theory; complexity; determinism; physical ontology.
We review a recent approach to the foundations of quantum mechanics inspired by quantum information theory [1, 2]. The approach is based on a general framework, which allows one to address a large class of physical theories which share basic information-theoretic features. We first illustrate two very primitive features, expressed by the axioms of causality and purity-preservation, which are satisfied by both classical and quantum theory. We then discuss the axiom of purification, which expresses a strong version of the Conservation of Information and captures the core of a vast number of protocols in quantum information. Purification is a highly non-classical feature and leads directly to the emergence of entanglement at the purely conceptual level, without any reference to the superposition principle. Supplemented by a few additional requirements, satisfied by classical and quantum theory, it provides a complete axiomatic characterization of quantum theory for finite dimensional systems.
We review a recent approach to the foundations of quantum mechanics inspired by quantum information theory [1, 2]. The approach is based on a general framework, which allows one to address a large class of physical theories which share basic information-theoretic features. We first illustrate two very primitive features, expressed by the axioms of causality and purity-preservation, which are satisfied by both classical and quantum theory. We then discuss the axiom of purification, which expresses a strong version of the Conservation of Information and captures the core of a vast number of protocols in quantum information. Purification is a highly non-classical feature and leads directly to the emergence of entanglement at the purely conceptual level, without any reference to the superposition principle. Supplemented by a few additional requirements, satisfied by classical and quantum theory, it provides a complete axiomatic characterization of quantum theory for finite dimensional systems.