Relativistic Limits on the Discretization and Temporal Resolution of a Quantum Clock

We provide a brief discussion regarding relativistic limits on the discretization and temporal resolution of time values in a quantum clock. Our clock is characterized by a time observable chosen to be the complement of a bounded and discrete Hamiltonian that can have an equally spaced or a generic spectrum. In the first case, the time observable can be described by a Hermitian operator, and we find a limit in the discretization for the time eigenvalues. Nevertheless, in both cases, the time observable can be described by a POVM, and, by increasing the number of time states, we show how the bound on the minimum time quantum can be reduced and identify the conditions under which the clock values can be treated as continuous. Finally, we find a limit for the temporal resolution of our time observable when the clock is used (together with light signals) in a relativistic framework for the measurement of spacetime distances.

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Publication Details

Journal
Entropy
Published
2025-10-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/e27101068
Primary Topic
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
Type
article
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article

Relativistic Limits on the Discretization and Temporal Resolution of a Quantum Clock

Tommaso Favalli
Entropy
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
article

Relativistic Limits on the Discretization and Temporal Resolution of a Quantum Clock

Tommaso Favalli
article en

Abstract

We provide a brief discussion regarding relativistic limits on the discretization and temporal resolution of time values in a quantum clock. Our clock is characterized by a time observable chosen to be the complement of a bounded and discrete Hamiltonian that can have an equally spaced or a generic spectrum. In the first case, the time observable can be described by a Hermitian operator, and we find a limit in the discretization for the time eigenvalues. Nevertheless, in both cases, the time observable can be described by a POVM, and, by increasing the number of time states, we show how the bound on the minimum time quantum can be reduced and identify the conditions under which the clock values can be treated as continuous. Finally, we find a limit for the temporal resolution of our time observable when the clock is used (together with light signals) in a relativistic framework for the measurement of spacetime distances.

EntropyVol. 27(10)
University of Trieste (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Advanced Frequency and Time Standards
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Relativistic Limits on the Discretization and Temporal Resolution of a Quantum Clock — Tommaso Favalli · Entropy (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS