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The Frequency Domain Thermoreflectance Technique for Thermal Property Measurements
Published on: December 5, 2025
Uncertainty relation for the discrete Fourier transform.
Serge Massar1, Philippe Spindel
1Laboratoire d'Information Quantique, CP 225, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Bruxelles, Belgium.
This study introduces a new uncertainty relation for unitary operators, crucial for quantum state localization in mutually unbiased bases. It bridges discrete and continuous variable uncertainty principles, with applications in quantum information and signal processing.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Mechanics
- Quantum Information Theory
Background:
- Uncertainty relations are fundamental in quantum mechanics, limiting simultaneous precision of certain observables.
- Existing relations, like Heisenberg's, apply to specific variable pairs (e.g., position-momentum).
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive a generalized uncertainty relation for two unitary operators satisfying a specific commutation relation.
- To explore its application in quantum state localization within mutually unbiased bases.
- To connect discrete and continuous variable uncertainty principles.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of a novel uncertainty relation for unitary operators (U, V) with UV = e^(iφ)VU.
- Application of this relation to analyze simultaneous localization in discrete Fourier transform-related bases.
- Identification of minimum uncertainty states as solutions to Harper's equation.
Main Results:
- A new uncertainty relation is established for unitary operators.
- This relation quantifies the trade-off in localizing quantum states in mutually unbiased bases.
- It interpolates between Pauli operators and continuous variable uncertainty relations.
- An uncertainty relation for modular variables is also presented.
Conclusions:
- The derived uncertainty relation offers a unified framework for discrete and continuous variables.
- It has potential applications in quantum state manipulation, quantum information processing, and signal processing.
- Minimum uncertainty states are identified as discrete analogs of coherent and squeezed states.

