In Quantum Mechanics two quantities can be measured simultaneously, if their operators commute.
The operator for the radiation energy (kinetic) is the following:
T^=−2mℏΔ where Δ=∂x2∂2+∂y2∂2+∂z2∂2 is the Laplacian.
The operator for the momentum is the following:
p^=−iℏ∇ where ∇=(∂x∂,∂y∂,∂z∂) is the nabla operator.
These operators commute if the following equation is true:
T^p^=p^T^ As far as both operators consist of a partial derivatives, the question is whether or not we can change the order of the derivatives. According to the Clairaut's theorem, we can do it. Thus:
T^p^=−2mℏΔ(−iℏ∇)=2miℏ2Δ(∇)=2miℏ2∇(Δ)=p^T^ Thus, operators comute and we can measure the energy and momentum of a radiation at the same time.
Answer. Yes, his claim is correct.
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