Is complimentarity an expression of HUP?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter San K
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Expression Hup
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Complementarity is fundamentally an expression of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP), as evidenced by quantum eraser experiments like the Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser (DCQE). The discussion confirms that complementarity is not a separate phenomenon but rather intertwined with HUP. It is established that while position and momentum are complementary variables, time and energy do not share this relationship, as energy and time lack a corresponding conjugate pair in quantum mechanics. The quantum commutator relationship [P,Q] = -ih_bar illustrates the connection between conjugate pairs in quantum mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle (HUP)
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics and the Copenhagen interpretation
  • Knowledge of quantum operators and commutation relations
  • Basic principles of classical mechanics, specifically Lagrangian mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Delayed Choice Quantum Eraser experiment in detail
  • Explore the implications of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle in quantum mechanics
  • Research the concept of conjugate variables in quantum theory
  • Investigate the role of time in quantum mechanics and the absence of a time operator
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in quantum mechanics, physicists exploring the Copenhagen interpretation, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of quantum theory.

San K
Messages
905
Reaction score
1
Novice questions:

1. All complimentarities seems to be an expression of HUP...

(for example from some of the quantum eraser experiments such as DCQE)

Is that correct? I.e. Complimentarity is NOT a phenomena/mystery that is separate/different from HUP

2. Can we derive/conclude complimentarities from each other?

For example if we know position & momentum are complimentary;

are we able to derive/conclude that time & energy must be complimentary?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
When writing the Lagrangian in classical mechanics "momentum p conjugate to position q" is:

p=∂L/∂v, where v=dq/dt

If P,Q are the quantum operators that correspond to the original conjugate pair p,q then the quantum commutator satisfies the HUP:

[P,Q] = -ih_bar

Energy and time are _not_ a conjugate pair, and there is no "time operator" in QM.


Complementarity is a principle of the Copenhagen interpretation of QM:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complementarity_(physics )
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
10K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K