Zeno dynamics in wave-packet diffraction spreading

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how Zeno, anti-Zeno, and inverse-Zeno effects influence wave-packet spreading in optical and quantum systems, depending on observation frequency, linking these effects to diffraction mode theory.

Contribution

It introduces a practical scheme to observe Zeno effects in wave-packet spreading, applicable to both classical optics and quantum wave packets, highlighting the role of observation frequency.

Findings

Zeno and anti-Zeno effects depend on observation frequency.

Diffraction spreading can be controlled via measurement timing.

Effects are related to diffraction mode theory in resonators.

Abstract

We analyze a simple and feasible practical scheme displaying Zeno, anti-Zeno, and inverse-Zeno effects in the observation of wave-packet spreading caused by free evolution. The scheme is valid both in spatial diffraction of classical optical waves and in time diffraction of a quantum wave packet. In the optical realization, diffraction spreading is observed by placing slits between a light source and a light-power detector. We show that the occurrence of Zeno or anti-Zeno effects depends just on the frequency of observations between the source and detector. These effects are seen to be related to the diffraction mode theory in Fabry-Perot resonators.