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New Quantum Uncertainty Relation Discovered
Researchers at TU Wien unveil a formula linking measurement disturbance and measurement correlation in quantum systems.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) have discovered a new uncertainty relation that quantifies the tradeoff between measurement disturbance and measurement correlation in quantum systems. This simple formula allows for the precise characterization of quantum measurements and provides new insights into the fundamental limits of quantum theory.
Why it matters
The newly discovered uncertainty relation sheds light on the inherent limitations of quantum measurements, where observing one property of a quantum system inevitably disturbs other incompatible properties. This has important implications for the development of robust quantum technologies, such as quantum communication and quantum computing, where precise control over quantum systems is crucial.
The details
The researchers, including Florian Gams, Stephan Sponar, and Ali Asadian, found that the correlation between two successive quantum measurements is closely linked to the disturbance caused by the first measurement on the second. Specifically, they discovered a simple relation where the square of the correlation plus the square of the disturbance is always less than or equal to one. This provides a quantitative way to understand the tradeoff between measurement precision and measurement disturbance in quantum systems.
- The research was conducted at the Atominstitut of TU Wien in 2026.
The players
TU Wien
The Vienna University of Technology, a leading research institution in Austria.
Florian Gams
A researcher at TU Wien who co-authored the study on the new quantum uncertainty relation.
Stephan Sponar
A researcher at the Atominstitut of TU Wien who co-authored the study on the new quantum uncertainty relation.
Ali Asadian
A theoretical physicist who earned his PhD at the University of Innsbruck and now works at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences in Iran, and co-authored the study on the new quantum uncertainty relation.
What they’re saying
“The interplay between correlation and disturbance showcase a basic quantum trade-off relation reminiscent of wave-particle duality.”
— Ali Asadian (Mirage News)
“The results agree extremely well with our inequality. Our theory predicts that if correlation and disturbance are determined and plotted in a plane, all values must lie on a circle in the optimal case – and that is exactly what we observe in our measurements.”
— Stephan Sponar, Researcher, TU Wien (Mirage News)
What’s next
The researchers plan to further explore the applications of this new uncertainty relation, including its potential use in characterizing and calibrating quantum measurement devices for advanced quantum technologies.
The takeaway
This simple yet powerful uncertainty relation provides new fundamental insights into the limits of quantum measurements, with important implications for the development of robust and reliable quantum technologies.
