It is shown that, in the phase-space representation of quantum mechanics, the uncertainty relation can be stated in terms of the integral invariant of Poincar\'e. The uncertainty relation for spreading free wave packets is discussed as an illustrative example. This phase-space approach can be extended to the relativistic regime. It is shown that Lorentz boosts are area-preserving canonical transformations in the phase space of the light-cone variables. The harmonic oscillator is discussed in detail as an illustrative example for the covariant realization of the uncertainty principle.It is shown that, in the phase-space representation of quantum mechanics, the uncertainty relation can be stated in terms of the integral invariant of Poincar\'e. The uncertainty relation for spreading free wave packets is discussed as an illustrative example. This phase-space approach can be extended to the relativistic regime. It is shown that Lorentz boosts are area-preserving canonical transformations in the phase space of the light-cone variables. The harmonic oscillator is discussed in detail as an illustrative example for the covariant realization of the uncertainty principle.

Physical Review AAug 1, 198838 citations

On phase-space representations of quantum mechanics

Joachim J. Włodarz

Physics Letters AJul 1, 20017 citations

Equality Conditions for an Additive Three-Observable Uncertainty Relation

Yao-Yi Zeng, Zhi-Jie Liu, Jie Zhou +1 more

Uncertainty relations play a fundamental role in quantum mechanics by quantifying the intrinsic limitations on the simultaneous sharpness of incompatible observables. Beyond the standard two-observable product form, additive uncertainty relations for triples of observables provide a natural framework for describing collective constraints among three noncommuting components. In this work, we study an additive uncertainty relation for three Hermitian observables from the viewpoint of rotational symmetry and covariance geometry. We give a short rotational derivation by rotating the observable triple and applying the Robertson uncertainty relation to the two transverse observables. This derivation makes the saturation mechanism transparent and leads to a necessary and sufficient condition for equality for general density operators. In the nontrivial equality case, the covariance ellipsoid of the observable triple degenerates into a disk perpendicular to the expectation value of the commutator vector. We also discuss an inverse construction based on finite-dimensional representations of the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{su}(2)$ , which provides a systematic way to construct observable triples with prescribed saturating states. These results clarify the geometric and representation-theoretic structure underlying the tightness of additive three-observable uncertainty relations.Uncertainty relations play a fundamental role in quantum mechanics by quantifying the intrinsic limitations on the simultaneous sharpness of incompatible observables. Beyond the standard two-observable product form, additive uncertainty relations for triples of observables provide a natural framework for describing collective constraints among three noncommuting components. In this work, we study an additive uncertainty relation for three Hermitian observables from the viewpoint of rotational symmetry and covariance geometry. We give a short rotational derivation by rotating the observable triple and applying the Robertson uncertainty relation to the two transverse observables. This derivation makes the saturation mechanism transparent and leads to a necessary and sufficient condition for equality for general density operators. In the nontrivial equality case, the covariance ellipsoid of the observable triple degenerates into a disk perpendicular to the expectation value of the commutator vector. We also discuss an inverse construction based on finite-dimensional representations of the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{su}(2)$, which provides a systematic way to construct observable triples with prescribed saturating states. These results clarify the geometric and representation-theoretic structure underlying the tightness of additive three-observable uncertainty relations.

quant-pharXiv:2606.29992Jun 30, 20260 citations

On the representation of quantum mechanics on phase space

Werner Stulpe

International Journal of Theoretical PhysicsSep 1, 19927 citations

Lie Algebraic Uncertainty Relations

Xiaoli Hu, Naihuan Jing, Jian Zhang +1 more

Uncertainty relations impose fundamental constraints on quantum observables, yet optimal bounds are needed to determine their incompatibility through the minimum attainable uncertainty. Here we introduce a covariance-matrix formulation from which infinitely many uncertainty relations follow, encompassing Hermitian observables and non-Hermitian operators and recovering the variance sum as a special case. Within this family, a basis-independent uncertainty for simple and semisimple Lie algebras admits an exact solution: its optimal state-independent bound is an explicit pairing of root system with the highest weight of the representation. The minimum is attained by a highest-weight state, replacing a search over quantum states with a calculation in representation theory. A complementary result establishes that uncertainty is constant within each weight space, yielding a conservation law. The same commutation relations can therefore support distinct uncertainty limits, depending on their realization on the state space. By rendering these limits analytically accessible, the framework turns representation theory into a tool for quantifying quantum incompatibility and may help establish the boundary between attainable and impossible tasks in quantum theory.Uncertainty relations impose fundamental constraints on quantum observables, yet optimal bounds are needed to determine their incompatibility through the minimum attainable uncertainty. Here we introduce a covariance-matrix formulation from which infinitely many uncertainty relations follow, encompassing Hermitian observables and non-Hermitian operators and recovering the variance sum as a special case. Within this family, a basis-independent uncertainty for simple and semisimple Lie algebras admits an exact solution: its optimal state-independent bound is an explicit pairing of root system with the highest weight of the representation. The minimum is attained by a highest-weight state, replacing a search over quantum states with a calculation in representation theory. A complementary result establishes that uncertainty is constant within each weight space, yielding a conservation law. The same commutation relations can therefore support distinct uncertainty limits, depending on their realization on the state space. By rendering these limits analytically accessible, the framework turns representation theory into a tool for quantifying quantum incompatibility and may help establish the boundary between attainable and impossible tasks in quantum theory.

quant-pharXiv:2610.03661Oct 5, 20260 citations

The uncertainty principle and the energy identity for holomorphic maps in geometric quantum mechanics

Barbara Sanborn

The theory of geometric quantum mechanics describes a quantum system as a Hamiltonian dynamical system with a complex projective Hilbert space as its phase space, thus equipped with a Riemannian metric in addition to a symplectic structure. This paper extends the geometric quantum theory to include aspects of the symplectic topology of the state space by identifying the Robertson-Schrödinger uncertainty relation for pure quantum states as the differential version of the energy identity in the theory of $J$ -holomorphic curves. We consider a family of maps from a Riemann surface into a finite-dimensional quantum state space by using the vector fields generated by two quantum observables,and show that the Fubini-Study metric tensor pulls back by such a map to the covariance tensor for the two observables. By calculating the map energy density in the pull-back metric, the uncertainty relation is represented as an equality that compares the map energy differential to the sum of the pull-back of the symplectic form and a positive definite term that vanishes when the map is holomorphic. Saturation of the Robertson-Schrödinger inequality occurs when the map is conformal and the off-diagonal covariance terms vanish. For compact Riemann surfaces where such a map can be globally defined, if the map is holomorphic, it is harmonic and its image is a minimal surface. In this case, the uncertainty product integral is a topological invariant that depends only on the homology class of the curve modulo its boundary.The theory of geometric quantum mechanics describes a quantum system as a Hamiltonian dynamical system with a complex projective Hilbert space as its phase space, thus equipped with a Riemannian metric in addition to a symplectic structure. This paper extends the geometric quantum theory to include aspects of the symplectic topology of the state space by identifying the Robertson-Schrödinger uncertainty relation for pure quantum states as the differential version of the energy identity in the theory of $J$-holomorphic curves. We consider a family of maps from a Riemann surface into a finite-dimensional quantum state space by using the vector fields generated by two quantum observables,and show that the Fubini-Study metric tensor pulls back by such a map to the covariance tensor for the two observables. By calculating the map energy density in the pull-back metric, the uncertainty relation is represented as an equality that compares the map energy differential to the sum of the pull-back of the symplectic form and a positive definite term that vanishes when the map is holomorphic. Saturation of the Robertson-Schrödinger inequality occurs when the map is conformal and the off-diagonal covariance terms vanish. For compact Riemann surfaces where such a map can be globally defined, if the map is holomorphic, it is harmonic and its image is a minimal surface. In this case, the uncertainty product integral is a topological invariant that depends only on the homology class of the curve modulo its boundary.

arXiv:1710.09344Oct 25, 20171 citation

\mathfrak{su}(2)

, which provides a systematic way to construct observable triples with prescribed saturating states. These results clarify the geometric and representation-theoretic structure underlying the tightness of additive three-observable uncertainty relations.

J

-holomorphic curves. We consider a family of maps from a Riemann surface into a finite-dimensional quantum state space by using the vector fields generated by two quantum observables,and show that the Fubini-Study metric tensor pulls back by such a map to the covariance tensor for the two observables. By calculating the map energy density in the pull-back metric, the uncertainty relation is represented as an equality that compares the map energy differential to the sum of the pull-back of the symplectic form and a positive definite term that vanishes when the map is holomorphic. Saturation of the Robertson-Schrödinger inequality occurs when the map is conformal and the off-diagonal covariance terms vanish. For compact Riemann surfaces where such a map can be globally defined, if the map is holomorphic, it is harmonic and its image is a minimal surface. In this case, the uncertainty product integral is a topological invariant that depends only on the homology class of the curve modulo its boundary.