Classical and quantum speed limits

Abstract

The new bound on quantum speed limit (in terms of relative purity) is derived by applying the original Mandelstam-Tamm one to the evolution in the space of Hilbert-Schmidt operators acting in the initial space of states. It is shown that it provides the quantum counterpart of the classical speed limit derived in Phys. Rev. Lett. 120 (2018), 070402 and the $\hslash \to 0$ limit of the former yields the latter. The existence of classical limit is related to the degree of mixing of the quantum state.

11 pages, 1 figure; modified version as suggested by the reviewers, accepted in Quantum 2021-06-15, Licence statement "arXiv.org perpetual, non-exclusive license" changed to CC-BY 4.0 as demanded by Quantum