Zeno effect and ergodicity in finite-time quantum measurements

Abstract

We demonstrate that an attempt to measure a non-local in time quantity, such as the time average $\la A\ra_T$ of a dynamical variable $A$, by separating Feynman paths into ever narrower exclusive classes traps the system in eigensubspaces of the corresponding operator $\a$. Conversely, in a long measurement of $\la A\ra_T$ to a finite accuracy, the system explores its Hilbert space and is driven to a universal steady state in which von Neumann ensemble average of $\a$ coincides with $\la A\ra_T$. Both effects are conveniently analysed in terms of singularities and critical points of the corresponding amplitude distribution and the Zeno-like behaviour is shown to be a consequence of conservation of probability.