Breaking the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound with non-Markovian memory effects

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how non-Markovian memory effects in a photonic Mach-Zehnder interferometer can surpass the quantum Cramér-Rao bound, offering new avenues for enhanced quantum parameter estimation.

Contribution

It introduces a protocol leveraging non-Markovian effects to break the quantum Cramér-Rao bound in optical quantum systems.

Findings

Non-Markovian memory effects enhance sensitivity.

The protocol surpasses traditional quantum limits.

Potential for improved quantum metrology applications.

Abstract

Linear optics provides versatile means to simulate and control the dynamics of open quantum systems. Here, the polarization and frequency of photons often represent the system and its environment, respectively. Recently, the photon's path degree of freedom and the effects of interference have been considered as well, giving rise to the concept of "open system interference". Such models have been shown to beat traditional parameter estimation schemes in certain scenarios. In this work, we study the sensitivity of non-Markovian memory effects arising from an open system Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Our protocol provides an alternative way to get around the quantum Cram\'er-Rao theorem, proving itself a noteworthy option for more conventional parameter estimation protocols.