Relativistic Quantum-Speed Limit

Quantum speed limit (QSL) defines the theoretical upper bound on how fast a quantum system can evolve between states. It imposes a fundamental constraint on the rate of quantum information processing. For a relativistic spin-up electron in a uniform magnetic field, QSL increased with the magnetic field strength till around $10^{15}$ Gauss, before saturating at a saturated QSL (SQSL) of 0.2407c, where c is the speed of light. We show that by using variable magnetic fields, it is possible to surpass this limit, achieving SQSL upto 0.4-0.6c. To attain this quantum phenomenon, we solve the evolution equation of relativistic electron in spatially varying magnetic fields and find that the energies of various electron states become non-degenerate as opposed to the constant magnetic field case. This redistribution of energy is the key ingredient to accomplish higher QSL and, thus, a high information processing speed. We further explore how QSL can serve as a bridge between relativistic and non-relativistic quantum dynamics, providing insights via the Bremermann-Bekenstein bound, a quantity which constrains the maximal rate of information production. We also propose a practical experimental setup to realize these advancements. These results hold immense potential for propelling fields of quantum computation, thermodynamics and metrology.Quantum speed limit (QSL) defines the theoretical upper bound on how fast a quantum system can evolve between states. It imposes a fundamental constraint on the rate of quantum information processing. For a relativistic spin-up electron in a uniform magnetic field, QSL increased with the magnetic field strength till around $10^{15}$ Gauss, before saturating at a saturated QSL (SQSL) of 0.2407c, where c is the speed of light. We show that by using variable magnetic fields, it is possible to surpass this limit, achieving SQSL upto 0.4-0.6c. To attain this quantum phenomenon, we solve the evolution equation of relativistic electron in spatially varying magnetic fields and find that the energies of various electron states become non-degenerate as opposed to the constant magnetic field case. This redistribution of energy is the key ingredient to accomplish higher QSL and, thus, a high information processing speed. We further explore how QSL can serve as a bridge between relativistic and non-relativistic quantum dynamics, providing insights via the Bremermann-Bekenstein bound, a quantity which constrains the maximal rate of information production. We also propose a practical experimental setup to realize these advancements. These results hold immense potential for propelling fields of quantum computation, thermodynamics and metrology.

arXiv:2411.18687Nov 27, 20240 citations

Relativistic Quantum-Speed Limit for Gaussian Systems and Prospective Experimental Verification

Salman Sajad Wani, Aatif Kaisar Khan, Saif Al-Kuwari +1 more

Timing and phase resolution in satellite QKD, kilometre-scale gravitational-wave detectors, and space-borne clock networks hinge on quantum-speed limits (QSLs), yet benchmarks omit relativistic effects for coherent and squeezed probes. We derive first-order relativistic corrections to the Mandelstam-Tamm and Margolus-Levitin bounds. Starting from the Foldy-Wouthuysen expansion and treating $-p^{4}/(8 m^{3} c^{2})$ as a harmonic-oscillator perturbation, we propagate Gaussian states to obtain closed-form QSLs and the quantum Cramér-Rao bound. Relativistic kinematics slow evolution in an amplitude- and squeezing-dependent way, increase both bounds, and introduce an $ε^{2} t^{2}$ phase drift that weakens timing sensitivity while modestly increasing the squeeze factor. A single electron ( $ε\approx 1.5\times 10^{-10}$ ) in a $5.4\,\mathrm{T}$ Penning trap, read out with $149\,\mathrm{GHz}$ quantum-limited balanced homodyne, should reveal this drift within $\sim 15\,\mathrm{min}$ -- within known hold times. These results benchmark relativistic corrections in continuous-variable systems and point to an accessible test of the quantum speed limit in high-velocity or strong-field regimes.Timing and phase resolution in satellite QKD, kilometre-scale gravitational-wave detectors, and space-borne clock networks hinge on quantum-speed limits (QSLs), yet benchmarks omit relativistic effects for coherent and squeezed probes. We derive first-order relativistic corrections to the Mandelstam-Tamm and Margolus-Levitin bounds. Starting from the Foldy-Wouthuysen expansion and treating $-p^{4}/(8 m^{3} c^{2})$ as a harmonic-oscillator perturbation, we propagate Gaussian states to obtain closed-form QSLs and the quantum Cramér-Rao bound. Relativistic kinematics slow evolution in an amplitude- and squeezing-dependent way, increase both bounds, and introduce an $ε^{2} t^{2}$ phase drift that weakens timing sensitivity while modestly increasing the squeeze factor. A single electron ($ε\approx 1.5\times 10^{-10}$) in a $5.4\,\mathrm{T}$ Penning trap, read out with $149\,\mathrm{GHz}$ quantum-limited balanced homodyne, should reveal this drift within $\sim 15\,\mathrm{min}$ -- within known hold times. These results benchmark relativistic corrections in continuous-variable systems and point to an accessible test of the quantum speed limit in high-velocity or strong-field regimes.

quant-pharXiv:2511.20707Physics Letters ANov 26, 20251 citation

Non-uniform magnetic field as a booster for quantum speed limit: faster quantum information processing

Srishty Aggarwal, Subhashish Banerjee, Arindam Ghosh +1 more

Abstract We probe the quantum speed limit (QSL) of an electron when it is trapped in a non-uniform magnetic field. We show that the QSL increases to a large value, but within the regime of causality, by choosing a proper variation in magnetic fields. We also probe the dependence of QSL on spin of electron and find that it is higher for spin-down electron in the relativistic regime. This can be useful in achieving faster speed of transmission of quantum information. Further, we use the Bremermann–Bekenstein bound to find a critical magnetic field that bridges the gap between non-relativistic and relativistic treatments and relates to the stability of matter. An analytical framework is developed. We also provide a plausible experimental design to supplement our theory.Abstract We probe the quantum speed limit (QSL) of an electron when it is trapped in a non-uniform magnetic field. We show that the QSL increases to a large value, but within the regime of causality, by choosing a proper variation in magnetic fields. We also probe the dependence of QSL on spin of electron and find that it is higher for spin-down electron in the relativistic regime. This can be useful in achieving faster speed of transmission of quantum information. Further, we use the Bremermann–Bekenstein bound to find a critical magnetic field that bridges the gap between non-relativistic and relativistic treatments and relates to the stability of matter. An analytical framework is developed. We also provide a plausible experimental design to supplement our theory.

arXiv:2112.04519New Journal of PhysicsJul 28, 202213 citations

10^{15}

Gauss, before saturating at a saturated QSL (SQSL) of 0.2407c, where c is the speed of light. We show that by using variable magnetic fields, it is possible to surpass this limit, achieving SQSL upto 0.4-0.6c. To attain this quantum phenomenon, we solve the evolution equation of relativistic electron in spatially varying magnetic fields and find that the energies of various electron states become non-degenerate as opposed to the constant magnetic field case. This redistribution of energy is the key ingredient to accomplish higher QSL and, thus, a high information processing speed. We further explore how QSL can serve as a bridge between relativistic and non-relativistic quantum dynamics, providing insights via the Bremermann-Bekenstein bound, a quantity which constrains the maximal rate of information production. We also propose a practical experimental setup to realize these advancements. These results hold immense potential for propelling fields of quantum computation, thermodynamics and metrology.

-p^{4}/(8 m^{3} c^{2})

as a harmonic-oscillator perturbation, we propagate Gaussian states to obtain closed-form QSLs and the quantum Cramér-Rao bound. Relativistic kinematics slow evolution in an amplitude- and squeezing-dependent way, increase both bounds, and introduce an

ε^{2} t^{2}

phase drift that weakens timing sensitivity while modestly increasing the squeeze factor. A single electron (

ε\approx 1.5\times 10^{-10}

) in a

5.4\,\mathrm{T}

Penning trap, read out with

149\,\mathrm{GHz}

quantum-limited balanced homodyne, should reveal this drift within

\sim 15\,\mathrm{min}

-- within known hold times. These results benchmark relativistic corrections in continuous-variable systems and point to an accessible test of the quantum speed limit in high-velocity or strong-field regimes.