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International journal of quantum foundations

simultaneous and nonsimultaneous use of the fourier transform in quantum mechanics

Peter N. Tanguay

Published Sep 20, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle and Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory both make essential use the Fourier transform. It is used as the primary derivation of their respective theories. However, they start from two very separate initial conditions. HUP concerns calculating simultaneous observations. Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory concerns calculating nonsimultaneous observations. This has previously unrecognized interpretive and modeling consequences for quantum mechanics and special relativity.

DOI
10.5281/zenodo.23212178

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The Heisenberg uncertainty principle and Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory both make essential use the Fourier transform. It is used as the primary derivation of their respective theories. However, they start from two very separate initial conditions. HUP concerns calculating simultaneous observations. Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory concerns calculating nonsimultaneous observations. This has previously unrecognized interpretive and modeling consequences for quantum mechanics and special relativity.
The derivation of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP) from the Uncertainty Theorem of Fourier Transform theory demonstrates that the HUP arises from the dependency of momentum on wave number that exists at the quantum level. It also establishes that the HUP is purely a relationship between the effective widths of Fourier transform pairs of variables (i.e. conjugate variables). We note that the HUP is not a quantum mechanical measurement principle per se. We introduce the Quantum Mechanical equivalent of the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem of Fourier Transform theory, and show that it is a better principle to describe the measurement limitations of Quantum Mechanics. We show that Brillouin zones in Solid State physics are a manifestation of the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem at the quantum level. By comparison with other fields where Fourier Transform theory is used, we propose that we need to discern between measurement limitations and inherent limitations when interpreting the impact of the HUP on the nature of the quantum level. We further propose that while measurement limitations result in our perception of indeterminism at the quantum level, there is no evidence that there are any inherent limitations at the quantum level, based on the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem.
The derivation of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP) from the Uncertainty Theorem of Fourier Transform theory demonstrates that the HUP arises from the dependency of momentum on a wave number that exists at the quantum level. It also establishes that the HUP is purely a relationship between the effective widths of Fourier transform pairs of variables (i.e. conjugate variables). We note that the HUP is not a quantum mechanical measurement principle per se. We introduce the Quantum Mechanical equivalent of the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem of Fourier Transform theory, and show that it is a better principle to describe the measurement limitations of Quantum Mechanics. We show that Brillouin zones in Solid State Physics are a manifestation of the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem at the quantum level. By comparison with other fields where Fourier Transform theory is used, we propose that we need todiscern between measurement limitations and inherent limitations when interpreting the impact of the HUP on the nature of the quantum level. We further propose that while measurement limitations result in our perception of indeterminism at the quantum level, there is no evidence that there are any inherent limitations at the quantum level, based on the Nyquist-Shannon Sampling Theorem
R. P. Feynman, by far, physics’ most successful communicator, said: The uncertainty principle protects quantum mechanics. W. Heisenberg recognized that if it were possible to measure the momentum and the position simultaneously with a greater accuracy, quantum mechanics would collapse. Quantum mechanics maintains its perilous but correct existence”. In his book on Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals , Feynman makes use of the two-slit experiment to provide an approximate description of the physics behind the uncertainty principle. Feynman’s description is outlined using a slightly different notation. The uncertainty principle is widely applied in optics. It applies to interferometry, linewidth measurements, and beam divergence measurements. The chapter focuses on the uncertainty principle and beam divergence. An important application of the uncertainty principle manifests itself in calculations of the angular resolution limit of telescopes used in astronomical observations. The Heisenberg uncertainty principle can be used to derive some useful identities in optics and interferometry.
The Fourier transform, as a fundamental mathematical tool, plays a pivotal role in quantum mechanics. Its significance extends to wave function analysis, solving the Schrödinger equation, and elucidating the relationship between position and momentum. In this review article, the primary objective is to summarize the diverse applications of the Fourier transform in quantum mechanics. This paper will delve into key applications, highlighting the uncertainty principle, the Planck-Einstein relation, and the Fourier transform solution of the Schrödinger equation. These theorems and relationships not only facilitate the mathematical manipulation of quantum states but also lay the theoretical foundation of quantum mechanics. By exploring these critical aspects, the author aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the Fourier transform underpins the core principles of quantum theory, offering valuable insights into the wave particle duality and the probabilistic nature of quantum systems. This discussion will emphasize the essential nature of the Fourier transform in both theoretical development and practical problem-solving within quantum mechanics