Abstract

We introduce contextual values as a generalization of the eigenvalues of an observable that takes into account both the system observable and a general measurement procedure. This technique leads to a natural definition of a general conditioned average that converges uniquely to the quantum weak value in the minimal disturbance limit. As such, we address the controversy in the literature regarding the theoretical consistency of the quantum weak value by providing a more general theoretical framework and giving several examples of how that framework relates to existing experimental and theoretical results.

Date

June 18, 2010

Authors

Justin Dressel, S Agarwal, Andrew N Jordan

Journal

Physical review letters

Volume

104

Issue

24

Pages

240401

Publisher

American Physical Society