Abstract
The usual formulation of the quantum Zeno effect (QZE) uses a sequence of rapid observations to prevent change. The same effect can be achieved with continuous observation. For partial inhibition of change we provide a quantitative relation between pulsed (at intervals ) and continuous (with response time ) observations: the slowdown is the same for Including the continuous observer in the Hamiltonian gives an alternative view of the QZE, showing the appropriateness of the name “dominated time evolution.” Finally, the variation on the QZE in which a nonconstant sequence of projections can force change is also shown to be achievable by time-varying continuous observation.
- Received 19 May 1997
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.57.1509
©1998 American Physical Society