On Time in Quantum Physics

TL;DR

This paper reviews various interpretations of time in quantum physics, discusses recent developments in the understanding of the time-energy uncertainty principle, and explores related conceptual issues about the nature of time in quantum theory.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of different quantum interpretations of time and clarifies recent advances in the understanding of the time-energy uncertainty principle.

Findings

Different interpretations have distinct conceptions of time.

Recent work clarifies the limits of defining a time operator.

Connections between uncertainty principles and the nature of time are explored.

Abstract

First, I briefly review the different conceptions of time held by three rival interpretations of quantum theory: the collapse of the wave-packet, the pilot-wave interpretation, and the Everett interpretation (Section 2). Then I turn to a much less controversial task: to expound the recent understanding of the time-energy uncertainty principle, and indeed of uncertainty principles in general, that has been established by such authors as Busch, Hilgevoord and Uffink. Although this may at first seem a narrow topic, I point out connections to other conceptual topics about time in quantum theory: for example, the question under what circumstances there is a time operator (Section 4.3).