Impulsive quantum measurements: restricted path integral versus von Neumann collapse

Abstract

The relation between the restricted path integral approach to quantum measurement theory and the commonly accepted von Neumann wavefunction collapse postulate is presented. It is argued that in the limit of impulsive measurements the two approaches lead to the same predictions. The example of repeated impulsive quantum measurements of position performed on a harmonic oscillator is discussed in detail and the quantum nondemolition strategies are recovered in both the approaches.