Abstract We investigate time operators in the context of quantum time crystals in ring systems. A generalized commutation relation called the generalized weak Weyl relation is used to derive a class of self-adjoint time operators for ring systems with a periodic time evolution: The conventional Aharonov–Bohm time operator is obtained by taking the infinite-radius limit. Then, we discuss the connection between time operators, time crystals and real-space topology. We also reveal the relationship between our time operators and a -symmetric time operator. These time operators are then used to derive several energy-time uncertainty relations.
Abstract We investigate time operators in the context of quantum time crystals in ring systems. A generalized commutation relation called the generalized weak Weyl relation is used to derive a class of self-adjoint time operators for ring systems with a periodic time evolution: The conventional Aharonov–Bohm time operator is obtained by taking the infinite-radius limit. Then, we discuss the connection between time operators, time crystals and real-space topology. We also reveal the relationship between our time operators and a -symmetric time operator. These time operators are then used to derive several energy-time uncertainty relations.
We investigate time operators in the context of quantum time crystals in ring systems. A generalized commutation relation called the generalized weak Weyl relation is used to derive a class of self-adjoint time operators for ring systems with a periodic time evolution: The conventional Aharonov-Bohm time operator is obtained by taking the infinite-radius limit. Then, we discuss the connection between time operators, time crystals and real-space topology. We also reveal the relationship between our time operators and a PT-symmetric time operator. These time operators are then used to derive several energy-time uncertainty relations.
Let H be a self-adjoint operator on a Hilbert space [Formula: see text], T be a symmetric operator on [Formula: see text] and K(t)(t ∈ ℝ) be a bounded self-adjoint operator on [Formula: see text]. We say that (T, H, K) obeys the generalized weak Weyl relation (GWWR) if e-itHD(T) ⊂ D(T) for all t ∈ ℝ and Te-itHψ = e-itH(T+K(t))ψ, ∀ψ ∈ D(T) (D(T) denotes the domain of T). In the context of quantum mechanics where H is the Hamiltonian of a quantum system, we call T a generalized time operator of H. We first investigate, in an abstract framework, mathematical structures and properties of triples (T, H, K) obeying the GWWR. These include the absolute continuity of the spectrum of H restricted to a closed subspace of [Formula: see text], an uncertainty relation between H and T (a "time-energy uncertainty relation"), the decay property of transition probabilities |〈ψ,e-itHϕ〉|2 as |t| → ∞ for all vectors ψ and ϕ in a subspace of [Formula: see text], where 〈·,·〉 denotes the inner product of [Formula: see text]. We describe methods to construct various examples of triples (T, H, K) obeying the GWWR. In particular, we show that there exist generalized time operators of second quantization operators on Fock spaces (full Fock spaces, boson Fock spaces and fermion Fock spaces) which may have applications to quantum field models with interactions.
The time operator, an operator which satisfies the canonical commutation relation with the Hamiltonian, is investigated, on the basis of a certain algebraic relation for a pair of operators T and H, where T is symmetric and H self-adjoint. This relation is equivalent to the Weyl relation, in the case of self-adjoint T, and is satisfied by the Aharonov–Bohm time operator T0 and the free Hamiltonian H0 for the one-dimensional free-particle system. In order to see the qualitative properties of T0, the operators T and H satisfying this algebraic relation are examined. In particular, it is shown that the standard deviation of T is directly connected to the survival probability, and H is absolutely continuous. Hence, it is concluded that the existence of the operator T implies the existence of scattering states. It is also shown that the minimum uncertainty states do not exist. Other examples of these operators T and H, than the one-dimensional free-particle system, are demonstrated.
The time operator, an operator which satisfies the canonical commutation relation with the Hamiltonian, is investigated, on the basis of a certain algebraic relation for a pair of operators T and H, where T is symmetric and H self-adjoint. This relation is equivalent to the Weyl relation, in the case of self-adjoint T, and is satisfied by the Aharonov-Bohm time operator T_0 and the free Hamiltonian H_0 for the one-dimensional free-particle system. In order to see the qualitative properties of T_0, the operators T and H satisfying this algebraic relation are examined. In particular, it is shown that the standard deviation of T is directly connected to the survival probability, and H has no point spectrum. Hence, it is concluded that the existence of the operator T implies the existence of scattering states. It is also shown that the minimum uncertainty states do not exist. Other examples of these operators T and H, than the one-dimensional free-particle system, are demonstrated.
ABSTRACT: The main aim of this article is to present the time-evolution as the unitary and self-adjoint operators on Hilbert spaces and to describe its application in the development of quantum mechanics. The initial value problems associated with the quantum mechanical Schrodinger equation, ( ) = ( ) in the Hilbert space is solved by the use of timeevolution. The importance of time-evolution is also seen as the operation of turning machine in quantum mechanics, which is regarded as the time-evolution of the machine control state. Time-evolution of a quantum mechanical system is observed to be unitary and self-adjoint operators of Hilbert space, since it corresponds to an observable, specifically energy position and momentum. It was observed that time-evolution of a quantum mechanical system is generated by a self-adjoint operator, called Hamiltonian, V K H ˆ ˆ ˆ , expressed by the Schrodinger equation, above.
Recently, Wilczek proposed a fascinating new concept of time crystals, which spontaneously break the continuous time translation symmetry, in analogy with ordinary crystals which break the continuous spatial translation symmetry. Li et al. soon followed with a concrete proposal for an experimental realization and observation of a (space-)time crystal using trapped ions in a ring threaded by an Aharonov-Bohm flux. However, the very existence, even as a matter of principle, of time crystals is rather controversial. Bruno proved a no-go theorem for time crystals for a specific class of Hamiltonians, which covers the original proposal. A similar observation was made for a charge density wave in a superconducting ring by Nozieres. However, since these arguments were not fully general, several new realizations of time crystals, which avoid these no-go arguments, were proposed. In fact, a part of the confusion can be attributed to the lack of a precise mathematical definition of time crystals. Here, we first propose a definition of time crystals in the equilibrium, which is a natural generalization of that of ordinary crystals and can be formulated precisely also for time crystals. We then prove generally the absence of time crystals defined as such, in the ground state of an arbitrary Hamiltonian which consists only of short-range interactions. While the nature of the time crystal is less understood, it is natural to expect that time crystals would be most easily realized, if at all, at zero temperature, as in the case of ordinary crystals. Thus, we focus on the question whether time crystals can exist as the ground state, as in Wilczek’s original proposal. Naively, time crystals would be defined in terms of the ground-state expectation value of an observable O(t). If it exhibits a periodic time dependence, the system may be regarded as a time crystal. However, the very definition of the ground state Ĥ|0〉 = E0|0〉 immediately implies that the expectation value of any Heisenberg operator O(t) ≡ eiĤtO(0)e−iĤt is time-independent. Yet it is too early to reject the idea of time crystals just from this observation, since a similar argument would preclude ordinary (spatial) crystals. One might naively define crystals from a spatially modulating expectation value of the density operator ρ(~x) = e−i ~ P ·~xρ(~0)ei ~ P ·~x. The unique ground state of the Hamiltonian in a finite box is nevertheless symmetric and hence ~ P |0〉 = 0, implying that 〈0|ρ(~x)|0〉 is constant over space.