Continuous and pulsed observations in the quantum Zeno effect

L. S. Schulman
Phys. Rev. A 57, 1509 – Published 1 March 1998
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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 δt) and continuous (with response time τO) observations: the slowdown is the same for δt=4τO. 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

Authors & Affiliations

L. S. Schulman

  • Physics Department, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York 13699-5820

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Vol. 57, Iss. 3 — March 1998

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