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The Quantum Zeno Paradox, 42 Years On


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1 Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305, United States
 

The term 'quantum Zeno paradox' or 'quantum Zeno effect' refers to the slowing down of the evolution of a quantum system as it is observed more and more frequently. In 1977, Misra and Sudarshan gave a theoretical demonstration of its existence. There has been disagreement regarding the definition of the effect and whether it is really a paradox, requiring new physics, or a consequence of ordinary quantum mechanics. The experiment of Itano, Heinzen, Bollinger and Wineland, published in 1990, is the one most often called a demonstration of the quantum Zeno effect. Some different interpretations are discussed.

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  • The Quantum Zeno Paradox, 42 Years On

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Authors

Wayne M. Itano
Time and Frequency Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO 80305, United States

Abstract


The term 'quantum Zeno paradox' or 'quantum Zeno effect' refers to the slowing down of the evolution of a quantum system as it is observed more and more frequently. In 1977, Misra and Sudarshan gave a theoretical demonstration of its existence. There has been disagreement regarding the definition of the effect and whether it is really a paradox, requiring new physics, or a consequence of ordinary quantum mechanics. The experiment of Itano, Heinzen, Bollinger and Wineland, published in 1990, is the one most often called a demonstration of the quantum Zeno effect. Some different interpretations are discussed.

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv116%2Fi2%2F201-204