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)MedlineRefWorks 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