Abstract:
The method of integration over field configurations is applied to the problem of finding quantum restrictions on measurability of electromagnetic field strength. It is shown that there exist two different definitions of the field strength which coincide in classical theory but are distinct in quantum theory. They also correspond to different measurement schemes. In one case no absolute quantum limit exists but the corresponding measurement does not supply reliable information about the internal state of the field (but only about the external classical influence on the field). In the second case the measurement provides information about the internal state of the field but is restricted by quantum limit. Classical works by Landau and Peierls and Bohr and Rosenfeld are discussed in the light of the results obtained.
Citation:
M. B. Menskii, “Quantum limits of measurability of the electromagnetic field”, TMF, 80:1 (1989), 29–39; Theoret. and Math. Phys., 80:1 (1989), 689–696
This publication is cited in the following 4 articles:
M. B. Mensky, “Measurability of quantum fields and the energy–time uncertainty relation”, Phys. Usp., 54:5 (2011), 519–528
Horst-Heino von Borzeskowski, Michael B. Mensky, “Measurability of electromagnetic field: model and path integral methods”, Physics Letters A, 188:3 (1994), 249
Michael B. Mensky, “Continuous quantum measurements and the action uncertainty principle”, Found Phys, 22:9 (1992), 1173
Michael B. Mensky, “The action uncertainty principle and quantum gravity”, Physics Letters A, 162:3 (1992), 219