Arrival time in quantum field theory

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum field theory-based time-of-arrival framework for massive spin-1/2 particles using proper-time eigenstates, incorporating quantum fluctuations of clocks within a dual formalism.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to time-of-arrival in quantum field theory using event states and a dual formalism, accounting for quantum fluctuations of clocks.

Findings

Total time-of-arrival includes quantum fluctuations.

Framework based on proper-time eigenstates and field quantization.

Single event-of-arrival contributions sum to total time-of-arrival.

Abstract

Via the proper-time eigenstates (event states) instead of the proper-mass eigenstates (particle states), free-motion time-of-arrival theory for massive spin-1/2 particles is developed at the level of quantum field theory. The approach is based on a position-momentum dual formalism. Within the framework of field quantization, the total time-of-arrival is the sum of the single event-of-arrival contributions, and contains zero-point quantum fluctuations because the clocks under consideration follow the laws of quantum mechanics.