Abstract
Within quantum mechanics, a complete set of commutting observables can be found which describe the attributes of a system at a given time. However, the correct way to describe attributes of a system in time is still an open question. We discuss the difficulties in extending the standard approach of quantum mechanics to describe attributes of a system in time. We find that measuring when an event occurred and measuring that it occurred, are complimentary in Bohr's sense. To exemplify the differences between measurements at a given time and in time, we will compare Rovelli's recent proposal (quant-ph/9802020), to determine "at what time does a measurement occurred" with another model of a continuous measurement in time. Rovelli's scheme answers the question "has the measurement already occurred at a certain time?" but does not answer to the more difficult question: "when did the measurement occur?". We also discuss the use of the probability current to measure the time at which a particle arrives to a certain location.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-118 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Foundations of Physics Letters |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2000 |
Keywords
- Arrival
- Event
- Measurement
- Time