Quantum spreading of polarization

[jimgraber]

After we measure the position of a particle fairly sharply, it “spreads out” or the uncertainty grows according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. After we measure the polarization of a photon, does it spread out, too? If not, why not? If so, how fast?
TIA
Jim Graber

 

[DrChinese]

After we measure the position of a particle fairly sharply, it “spreads out” or the uncertainty grows according to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. After we measure the polarization of a photon, does it spread out, too? If not, why not? If so, how fast?
TIA
Jim Graber

The polarization, once known, does not independently evolve with time (other than continuing oscillation). There will be non-commuting polarization elements which will become completely uncertain as a result of the initial measurement. So if you measure photon polarization to be at 0 degrees, in principle you could measure it later and see it at the same polarization (assuming travel in a vacuum).