Comment on the uncertainty relation with periodic boundary conditions

Abstract

The Kennard-type uncertainty relation $\Delta x\Delta p>\frac{\hslash }{2}$ is formulated for a free particle with given momentum < \hat{p}>$ inside a box with periodic boundary conditions in the large box limit. Our construction of a free particle state is analogous to that of the Bloch wave in a periodic potential. A simple Robertson-type relation, which minimizes the effect of the box boundary and may be useful in some practical applications, is also presented.

17 pages, to appear in Prog. Theor. Phys. (kyoto)