Ultra-precise phase estimation without mode entanglement

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum optical method for ultra-precise phase estimation using nonclassical continuous-variable states, achieving sub-Heisenberg sensitivity without relying on mode entanglement.

Contribution

It introduces a novel CV probe state engineering technique that surpasses traditional limits, independent of mode entanglement, for phase estimation.

Findings

Achieves sub-Heisenberg phase sensitivity with intensity measurements.

Demonstrates that nonclassical photonic properties enable ultra-precise estimation.

Shows independence from mode entanglement in quantum metrology.

Abstract

We explore optical quantum engineering of phase-parameterized continuous-variable (CV) probe states to exploit nonclassical light to solve the problem of precise phase estimation. The optical interferometer consists of a single beam splitter (BS) with tunable transmittance and reflectance, and two single-mode squeezed vacuum states (SMSVs). The reference SMSV state is mixed with a weakly squeezed state carrying an unknown phase at the beam splitter to form an output hybrid entangled state. Then, in the measurement mode, the number of photons is measured to generate the target CV state parameterized by the unknown phase. Using the CV states, we propose a sub-Heisenberg metrology protocol in which the quantum Cramer-Rao (QCR) boundary is saturated by intensity measurement. The advantage of quantum engineering of CV probe states for ultra-precise phase estimation of unknown phase is due solely to the nonclassical photonic properties of the measurement induced CV states of definite parity and is independent of the mode entanglement.