Generalizing the Heisenberg uncertainty relation

Eric D. Chisolm

Published 2000-11-29, updated 2004-09-24Version 3

The proof of the Heisenberg uncertainty relation is modified to produce two improvements: (a) the resulting inequality is stronger because it includes the covariance between the two observables, and (b) the proof lifts certain restrictions on the state to which the relation is applied, increasing its generality. The restrictions necessary for the standard inequality to apply are not widely known, and they are discussed in detail. The classical analog of the Heisenberg relation is also derived, and the two are compared. Finally, the modified relation is used to address the apparent paradox that eigenfunctions of the z component of angular momentum L_z do not satisfy the \phi-L_z Heisenberg relation; the resolution is that the restrictions mentioned above make the usual inequality inapplicable to these states. The modified relation does apply, however, and it is shown to be consistent with explicit calculations.