Cited by 199Quantum Mechanics and ApplicationsQuantum Information and CryptographyAdvanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 49 of the 49 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; 2 of the 29 sources its claims cite were checked for support.

Energy–time uncertainty relation for driven quantum systems

Open access
Deffner, Sebastian, Lutz, Eric·2013·Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical

Abstract

We derive generalizations of the energy-time uncertainty relation for driven quantum systems. Using a geometric approach based on the Bures length between mixed quantum states, we obtain explicit expressions for the quantum speed limit time, valid for arbitrary initial and final quantum states and arbitrary driving protocols. Our results establish the fundamental limit on the rate of evolution of generic quantum systems.

Overview

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TL;DR

The paper derives generalized energy–time uncertainty relations and quantum speed limit times for driven closed quantum systems using a geometric Bures-length approach. It obtains Mandelstam–Tamm and Margolus–Levitin type bounds valid for arbitrary unitary driving, with mixed-state extensions via purification.

Key findings

  • A Mandelstam–Tamm-type relation is derived for arbitrary initial and final mixed quantum states and arbitrary time-dependent Hamiltonians, with the time-averaged energy variance \(\Delta E_\tau = (1/\tau)\int_0^\tau dt\,(\langle H_t^2\rangle-\langle H_t\rangle^2)^{1/2}\).
  • A Margolus–Levitin-type bound is derived first for pure initial states with ground-state energy set to zero, then extended to mixed states by purification; for arbitrary driving the generalized bound uses the time average of nondiagonal matrix elements \(|\langle \psi_0|H_t U_t|\psi_0\rangle|\).
  • The Margolus–Levitin-type bound has prefactor \(4/\pi^2\), which the authors note is smaller than the prefactor \(2/\pi\) obtained numerically in Giovannetti, Lloyd, and Maccone.
  • The quantum speed limit time depends strongly on the driving: it is inversely proportional to mean energy or energy spread, can be reduced exponentially if mean energy increases exponentially, can increase if driving decreases energy, and vanishes as \(\hbar \to 0\).

Methods

  • Theoretical derivation using the Bures length/angle between density operators, quantum fidelity, the Braunstein–Caves Bures metric, Fisher information, the von Neumann equation, and a triangle-type inequality.
  • The Mandelstam–Tamm bound is derived for arbitrary mixed states and arbitrary time-dependent Hamiltonians; the Margolus–Levitin bound assumes an initial pure state and \(E_g=0\), then uses purification for mixed states.
  • The appendix treats time-independent and time-dependent Hamiltonians, including the condition \([H_t,H_0]=0\) for one form of the time-dependent bound; no experimental data are analyzed.

Limitations

  • Stated: the Margolus–Levitin derivation assumes an initial pure state for simplicity, handles mixed states via purification, and sets the ground-state energy to zero.
  • Stated: for time-dependent Hamiltonians, the time-independent-form Margolus–Levitin inequality remains valid only if \([H_t,H_0]=0\) for all \(t\in[0,\tau]\); otherwise a more general expression with nondiagonal matrix elements is required.
  • Stated/evident: the derivative of the Bures length may change sign later, requiring care in deriving inequalities, and the paper corrects prior geometric Margolus–Levitin derivations; the work is purely theoretical with no experimental validation reported.

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1088/1751-8113/46/33/335302

Cites

49 of 49 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

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Verification

Claims the paper makes

13 Not checked yet · 9 Own interpretation · 8 No basis given · 1 Supported · 1 Partly supported · accuracy not yet measured

Verify all 27 references — free account
  • It may state two separate claims as one. 8
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 7
16 of 16
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The quantum system is closed and evolves unitarily under arbitrary time-dependent driving.

    “Specifically, we derive the quantum speed limit time for generic mixed states with arbitrary angle and for arbitrary timedependent unitary driving.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    For the Margolus-Levitin bound, the driven quantum system starts in a pure state.

    “For simplicity, and without loss of generality, we assume that the driven quantum system starts in a pure state ρ 0 = | ψ 0 〉〈 ψ 0 | .”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The ground state energy is set to zero, E_g = 0.

    “We additionally set the ground state energy to zero, E g = 0 [14].”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The time evolution of the quantum system obeys the time-dependent Schrödinger equation.

    “The time evolution of the quantum system obeys the time-dependent Schr¨ odinger equation,”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The system's Hamiltonian is driven by arbitrary time-dependent parameters during time τ.

    “In the following, we consider quantum systems whose Hamiltonians H t are driven by arbitrary timedependent parameters during time τ .”
5 of 5

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1 of 1

Citations

Cites

Show all 49 references

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Mandelstam L, 1945, J. Phys. (USSR), 9, 249
  2. Bures D J C, 1969, Trans. Am. Math. Soc., 135, 199

Cited by

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Metadata

Authors
Deffner, S., & Lutz, E.
Affiliations
University of Augsburg (DE)
Corresponding author
Deffner, Sebastian
Venue
Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical
Published
2013-07-29
Volume
46
Issue
33
Pages
335302
ISSN
  • 1751-8113 (ISSN-L)
  • 1751-8121
OpenAlex
W2161551823
Cited by
199
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 4
FWCI
8.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (publishedVersion)
  • Maryland Shared Open Access Repository (USMAI Consortium) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
  • Digital Repository at the University of Maryland (University of Maryland College Park)
Funders
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum Mechanics and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum Information and Cryptography
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Statistical and Nonlinear Physics › Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Keywords
time-energy uncertainty relation, driven quantum systems, quantum speed limit, mixed quantum states, closed quantum systems, quantum state evolution

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