Unitary equivalence in Generalized Uncertainty Principle theories
arXiv:2509.05477 · doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2026.117294
Abstract
We analyze the issue of unitary equivalence within Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) theories in the one-dimensional case. For a deformed Heisenberg algebra, its representation in terms of Hilbert space and conjugate operators is not uniquely determined, raising the question of whether different realizations of the same algebra are equivalent and describe the same physics. After proposing a definition of a quantum GUP theory, we establish conditions for unitary equivalence. Using this framework, we rigorously prove that two commonly used representations are unitarily equivalent, specifying the conditions under which this equivalence holds. We demonstrate this equivalence explicitly by providing a unitary map and showing how both GUP formulations yield the same physical results in two examples: the quantum harmonic oscillator and a free-falling particle. Finally, we discuss a case in which equivalence fails, suggesting that a generalization of the Stone-von Neumann theorem may not be possible within the GUP framework under our definition of unitary equivalence.
Revised version corresponding to the published article
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