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1 The Time–Energy Uncertainty Relation

Paul Busch

The time energy uncertainty relation has been a controversial issue since the advent of quantum theory, with respect to appropriate formalisation, validity and possible meanings. A comprehensive account of the development of this subject up to the 1980s is provided by a combination of the reviews of Jammer (1974), Bauer and Mello (1978), and Busch (1990). More recent reviews are concerned with different specific aspects of the subject. The purpose of this chapter is to show that different types of time energy uncertainty relation can indeed be deduced in specific contexts, but that there is no unique universal relation that could stand on equal footing with the position-momentum uncertainty relation. To this end, we will survey the various formulations of a time energy uncertainty relation, with a brief assessment of their validity, and along the way we will indicate some new developments that emerged since the 1990s.The time energy uncertainty relation has been a controversial issue since the advent of quantum theory, with respect to appropriate formalisation, validity and possible meanings. A comprehensive account of the development of this subject up to the 1980s is provided by a combination of the reviews of Jammer (1974), Bauer and Mello (1978), and Busch (1990). More recent reviews are concerned with different specific aspects of the subject. The purpose of this chapter is to show that different types of time energy uncertainty relation can indeed be deduced in specific contexts, but that there is no unique universal relation that could stand on equal footing with the position-momentum uncertainty relation. To this end, we will survey the various formulations of a time energy uncertainty relation, with a brief assessment of their validity, and along the way we will indicate some new developments that emerged since the 1990s.

May 11, 200177 citations

A derivation of the time-energy uncertainty relation

J S Briggs

Some of the difficulties that have occurred in the past associated with the derivation of a time-energy uncertainty relation are discussed. Then it is shown that, beginning with a time-independent quantum composite of system and environment, a time-energy uncertainty relation for the system alone can be derived in the limit that the environment becomes classical, to provide a classical clock with which to monitor the quantum system.

Journal of Physics Conference SeriesFeb 1, 200832 citations

Some Further Notes on the Energy-Position/Momentum-Time Uncertainty Expressions for a Non-Relativistic Particle

Pavle Ilija Premović

Abstract. A brief discussion related to the energy-position and the momentum-time uncertainty relations is presented.

Jan 1, 20180 citations

A Remark on Neutrino Oscillations and Time-Energy Uncertainty Relation

S. M. Bilenky

Neutrino oscillations are discussed from the point of view of the time-energy uncertainty relation.

arXiv:hep-ph/0411117Nov 8, 20040 citations

On the Energy-Time Uncertainty Relations: A didactical note for undergraduate students

Gastón E. Giribet

The purpose of this brief note is that of discussing the meaning of the uncertainty relations involving energy and time in quantum mechanics by means of a reading of the classical works on the subject. This was written for undergraduate students attending to an introductory course in quantum mechanics.

arXiv:physics/0506001May 31, 20050 citations

Time-energy uncertainty relation for quantum events

Matteo Fadel, Lorenzo Maccone

Textbook quantum mechanics treats time as a classical parameter and not as a quantum observable with an associated Hermitian operator. For this reason, to make sense of usual time-energy uncertainty relations such as $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}t\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}E\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\ensuremath{\hbar}$, the term $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}t$ must be interpreted as a time interval and not as a time measurement uncertainty due to quantum noise. However, quantum clocks allow for a measurement of the ``time at which an event happens'' by conditioning the system's evolution on an additional quantum degree of freedom. Within this framework we derive here two uncertainty relations that relate the uncertainty in the quantum measurement of the time at which a quantum event happens on a system to its energy uncertainty.Textbook quantum mechanics treats time as a classical parameter and not as a quantum observable with an associated Hermitian operator. For this reason, to make sense of usual time-energy uncertainty relations such as $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}t\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}E\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\ensuremath{\hbar}$, the term $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}t$ must be interpreted as a time interval and not as a time measurement uncertainty due to quantum noise. However, quantum clocks allow for a measurement of the ``time at which an event happens'' by conditioning the system's evolution on an additional quantum degree of freedom. Within this framework we derive here two uncertainty relations that relate the uncertainty in the quantum measurement of the time at which a quantum event happens on a system to its energy uncertainty.

arXiv:2108.13974Physical Review ANov 24, 202110 citations

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