Modern optical physics provides means to detect and resolve ultrafast processes on a time scale of tens of attoseconds. The physical interpretation of such measurements, however, remains the focus of heated debate. In its conceptual dimension, this debate reflects fundamental difficulties in defining time in quantum mechanics. En route toward resolving this difficulty, we are led to extend universal uncertainty relations to ultrafast light—matter interactions. Such a generalized uncertainty sets a lower bound on the response time inherent in attosecond electronic dynamics driven by ultrashort laser pulses, dictating a speed limit for next-generation photonic information systems—systems of petahertz optoelectronics.

Keywords: optical physics, ultrashort laser pulses, quantum mechanics, uncertainty relations PACS: 03.65.Ta, 42.65.Re, 78.47.J− (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2020.11.038884 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2021/4/d/ 000691278000004 2-s2.0-85110626708 2021PhyU...64..370Z Citation: Zheltikov A M "In search of lost time: attosecond physics, petahertz optoelectronics, and quantum speed limit" Phys. Usp. 64 370–385 (2021) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)Medline RefWorks RT Journal T1 In search of lost time: attosecond physics, petahertz optoelectronics, and quantum speed limit A1 Zheltikov,A.M. PB Physics-Uspekhi PY 2021 FD 10 Apr, 2021 JF Physics-Uspekhi JO Phys. Usp. VO 64 IS 4 SP 370-385 DO 10.3367/UFNe.2020.11.038884 LK https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2021/4/d/ Received: 9th, August 2020, revised: 2nd, November 2020, accepted: 22nd, November 2020 Оригинал: Жёлтиков А М «В поисках утраченного времени: аттосекундная физика, петагерцовая оптоэлектроника и предельная скорость квантовой динамики» УФН 191 386–403 (2021); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2020.11.038884