Repeated quantum non-demolition measurements: convergence and continuous time limit (Q1949819)

Bauer and Bernard have studied the question of convergence of repeated quantum non-demolition (QND) measurements and quantum wave-function collapse. Here is an extension of their earlier results of research in such an important area as quantum measurement theory (QMT). Following an introduction, the repeated QND measurement process is clearly defined and studied. In the third section the link with a classical random process in which the pointer state distribution (PSD) is repeatedly updated through Bayes' law is established. Next, convergence of PSD is proved and convergence rate in general cases is determined. In Section 5 the results are further extended to the degenerate situation. In the final part the continuous time scaling limit of the current model is investigated. In four interesting appendices are included studies of mutual singularity, proof of existence of a continuous time limit (CTL), details on CTL with different partial measurement methods and finally derivation of the density matrix evolution. Large time behavior of certain continous time processes is analyzed and convergence proved, too. The main section headings are: Introduction, QND measurements as Stochastic processes, Measurement apparatus and Bayes' law, Convergence, Degeneracy and limit quantum state and Continuous diffusive state. In this 41-pages long paper there are 32 main numbered equations, 30 references and several relevant examples. The present work is indeed, a very valuable contribution to QMT.