The standard axioms of quantum mechanics imply that in the limit of continuous observation a quantum system cannot evolve.
(Andrew Hodges in Alan Turing: the logical and physical basis of computing - pdf)
Initially known as
Turing’s paradox, in honor of the mathematician who formulated it in the 1950s, was subsequently identified as
quantum Zeno effect, resulting an advanced version of the famous
Zeno’s arrow paradox, whose phylosophical result is the negation of motion. A first formulation and derivation of the effect is found in
Does the lifetime of an unstable system depend on the measuring apparatus?, while
George Sudarshan and
Baidyanath Misra were the first to identify it as quantum Zeno paradox. The two theoretical physicists established that
an unstable particle will not decay as long as it is kept under continuous observation. However they try to save
goat and cabbage:
There is a fundamental principle in quantum theory that denies the possibility of continuous observation.
On the other hand,
Ghirardi,
Omero,
Weber and
Rimini show that:
if the uncertainty relations are properly taken into account the arguments leading to the paradox are not valid.
