Abstract
We present a hitherto unknown fundamental limitation to a basic measurement: that of the position of a quantum object when the total momentum of the object and apparatus is conserved. This result extends the famous Wigner-Araki-Yanase theorem, and shows that accurate position measurements are only practically feasible if there is a large momentum uncertainty in the apparatus.
- Received 5 May 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.110406
© 2011 American Physical Society
Synopsis
SynopsisPosition measurements and quantum reality
Published 24 March 2011
A newly found fundamental limitation puts bounds on the accuracy of measurements in quantum-mechanical systems.
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