Fundamental quantum limits to waveform detection

TL;DR

This paper establishes fundamental quantum limits on waveform detection, providing theoretical bounds and discussing approaches to approach these limits with quantum control techniques.

Contribution

It proves lower error bounds for quantum waveform detection, resolving a longstanding problem and deriving analytic expressions for optomechanical force detection limits.

Findings

Derived lower error bounds for quantum waveform detection

Provided analytic expressions for optomechanical force detection limits

Discussed quantum control techniques to approach these limits

Abstract

Ever since the inception of gravitational-wave detectors, limits imposed by quantum mechanics to the detection of time-varying signals have been a subject of intense research and debate. Drawing insights from quantum information theory, quantum detection theory, and quantum measurement theory, here we prove lower error bounds for waveform detection via a quantum system, settling the long-standing problem. In the case of optomechanical force detection, we derive analytic expressions for the bounds in some cases of interest and discuss how the limits can be approached using quantum control techniques.