arXiv subjects

Igor Prlina

Publications and source records attributed to Igor Prlina.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Detecting Hidden Nonlinear High Frequency Modes Beyond Fundamental Minimal Temporal Resolution Using Weak Measurements

In this work we study whether nonlinear models of quantum mechanics can avoid detection by strong measurements, if the nonlinear effects only exist as high frequency modes. A potential physical process which could hide such modes would be amplitude level time averaging over fundamentally indistinguishable times. To that end, we have defined a temporal indistinguishability postulate which describes the averaging process, and handcrafted a nonlinear toy model well suited to avoid detection. We have demonstrated that even in such an ideal setup, tabletop weak postselected measurements can still detect nonlinear behavior and put constraints on nonlinear high frequency modes of evolution, even at frequencies beyond fundamental minimal temporal resolution.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

If Quantum Measurements Are Secretly Continuous Nonunitary Processes, Weak Measurements Can Detect It

The standard approach to quantum measurements is to assume that they lead to effectively instantaneous collapse of the quantum state. However, if we assume that we are unable to enforce at what exact moment of time the measurement occurs due to a finite resolution of any time measurement device, at the level of the ensemble, the measurement would lead to an effectively nonunitary evolution involving a mixed state. Each individual ensemble member would face an instantaneous collapse at different moments of time. This process is completely indistinguishable from fundamental nonunitary evolution at the level of each individual ensemble member, within the framework of strong projective measurements. In this paper, we show that weak postselected measurements can distinguish these two types of evolution. An experimental protocol for determining the nature of quantum collapse is described, and the example of a hydrogen atom is analyzed in detail.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

If Mixed States Are Secretly Quickly Oscillating Pure States, Weak Measurements Can Detect It

The apparent nonunitary evolution in the black hole information paradox and recent work on describing wavefunction collapse via nonunitary nonlinear stochastic operators has motivated us to analyze whether mixed states can be distinguished from quickly oscillating pure states. We have demonstrated that the answer is no for all practical purposes if only strong nonpostselected measurements are performed. However, if weak measurements in postselected systems are used, mixed states and quickly oscillating states produce different results. An experimental procedure is proposed which could in principle determine the nature of mixed states stemming from blackbody radiation, decoherence, thermalization in solid state materials, Unruh radiation and Hawking radiation, among others. The analysis in this work applies to all fast oscillations, including those at Planck scale. As such, tabletop weak measurements can be used to probe (very specific) potential high energy behavior, where strong nonpostselected measurements cannot be applied. This work also demonstrates that weak measurements are not equivalent to a set of strong measurements without postselection since measurements which are impossible for all practical purposes need to be excluded.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

All-loop singularities of scattering amplitudes in massless planar theories

In massless quantum field theories the Landau equations are invariant under graph operations familiar from the theory of electrical circuits. Using a theorem on the $Y$-$Δ$ reducibility of planar circuits we prove that the set of first-type Landau singularities of an $n$-particle scattering amplitude in any massless planar theory, in any spacetime dimension $D$, at any finite loop order in perturbation theory, is a subset of those of a certain $n$-particle $\lfloor{(n{-}2)^2/4}\rfloor$-loop "ziggurat" graph. We determine this singularity locus explicitly for $D=4$ and $n=6$ and find that it corresponds precisely to the vanishing of the symbol letters familiar from the hexagon bootstrap in SYM theory. Further implications for SYM theory are discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Boundaries of Amplituhedra and NMHV Symbol Alphabets at Two Loops

In this sequel to arXiv:1711.11507 we classify the boundaries of amplituhedra relevant for determining the branch points of general two-loop amplitudes in planar $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills theory. We explain the connection to on-shell diagrams, which serves as a useful cross-check. We determine the branch points of all two-loop NMHV amplitudes by solving the Landau equations for the relevant configurations and are led thereby to a conjecture for the symbol alphabets of all such amplitudes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

All-Helicity Symbol Alphabets from Unwound Amplituhedra

We review an algorithm for determining the branch points of general amplitudes in planar $\mathcal{N}=4$ super-Yang-Mills theory from amplituhedra. We demonstrate how to use the recent reformulation of amplituhedra in terms of `sign flips' in order to streamline the application of this algorithm to amplitudes of any helicity. In this way we recover the known branch points of all one-loop amplitudes, and we find an `emergent positivity' on boundaries of amplituhedra.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Landau Singularities from the Amplituhedron

We propose a simple geometric algorithm for determining the complete set of branch points of amplitudes in planar N=4 super-Yang-Mills theory directly from the amplituhedron, without resorting to any particular representation in terms of local Feynman integrals. This represents a step towards translating integrands directly into integrals. In particular, the algorithm provides information about the symbol alphabets of general amplitudes. We illustrate the algorithm applied to the one- and two-loop MHV amplitudes.

hep-th↗