Error mitigation in quantum metrology via zero noise extrapolation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Zero Noise Extrapolation (ZNE) can effectively mitigate errors in quantum metrology, especially in photon loss scenarios, by systematically expanding noise and applying correction techniques, offering a resource-efficient alternative to quantum error correction.

Contribution

The paper introduces a systematic noise expansion method for ZNE in Markovian noise models and applies it to quantum phase estimation, showing significant sensitivity recovery.

Findings

First order ZNE improves measurement sensitivity in photon loss scenarios.

Higher order ZNE further enhances accuracy at the cost of more measurements.

ZNE offers an effective error mitigation alternative when quantum error correction is unavailable.

Abstract

We consider Zero Noise Extrapolation (ZNE) as an error mitigation strategy in quantum metrology. It is shown that noise expansion can be systematically performed over sufficiently short time scales for general Markovian noise models described by the time homogeneous Lindblad master equation. This suggests that ZNE can be an effective, resource efficient error mitigation alternative when strategies employing full quantum error correcting codes are unavailable. The ZNE method is then applied quantum phase estimation in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer subject to photon losses. Numerical simulations show a significant recovery of measurement sensitivity by employing first order ZNE corrections, which can be further improved upon using higher order corrections at the cost of additional measurements.