Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1605.04819 · Physical Review A

Gaussian systems for quantum-enhanced multiple phase estimation

Christos N. Gagatsos, Dominic Branford, Animesh Datta

Published Oct 28, 2016• 98 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

For a fixed average energy, the simultaneous estimation of multiple phases can provide a better total precision than estimating them individually. We show this for a multimode interferometer with a phase in each mode, using Gaussian inputs and passive elements, by calculating the covariance matrix. The quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound provides a lower bound to the covariance matrix via the quantum Fisher information matrix, whose elements we derive to be the covariances of the photon numbers across the modes. We prove that this bound can be saturated. In spite of the Gaussian nature of the problem, the calculation of non-Gaussian integrals is required, which we accomplish analytically. We find our simultaneous strategy to yield no more than a factor-of-2 improvement in total precision, possibly because of a fundamental performance limitation of Gaussian states. Our work shows that no modal entanglement is necessary for simultaneous quantum-enhanced estimation of multiple phases.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.94.042342

Related papers

Multiparameter Gaussian quantum metrology

Rosanna Nichols, Pietro Liuzzo-Scorpo, Paul A. Knott +1 more

We investigate the ultimate precision achievable in Gaussian quantum metrology. We derive general analytical expressions for the quantum Fisher information matrix and for the measurement compatibility condition, ensuring asymptotic saturability of the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound, for the estimation of multiple parameters encoded in multimode Gaussian states. We then apply our results to the joint estimation of a phase shift and two parameters characterizing Gaussian phase covariant noise in optical interferometry. In such a scheme, we show that two-mode displaced squeezed input probes with optimally tuned squeezing and displacement fulfill the measurement compatibility condition and enable the simultaneous estimation of all three parameters, with an advantage over individual estimation schemes that quickly rises with increasing mean energy of the probes.

arXiv:1711.09132•Physical Review A•Jul 11, 2018•130 citations

Estimation of Gaussian quantum states

Dominik Šafránek

Abstract We derive several expressions for the quantum Fisher information matrix (QFIM) for the multi-parameter estimation of multi-mode Gaussian quantum states, the corresponding symmetric logarithmic derivatives, and conditions for saturability of the quantum Cramér–Rao bound. This bound determines the ultimate precision with which parameters encoded into quantum states can be estimated. We include expressions for mixed states, for the case when the Williamson decomposition of the covariance matrix is known, expressions in terms of infinite series, and expressions for pure states. We also discuss problematic behavior when some modes are pure, and present a method that allows the use of expressions that are defined only for mixed states, to compute QFIM for states with any number of pure modes.

arXiv:1801.00299•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and Theoretical•Nov 13, 2018•109 citations

Phase Estimation in Linear and Nonlinear Interferometers

Sushovit Adhikari

Phase estimation has a wide range of applications. Over the years, several strategies have been studied to improve precision in phase estimation. These strategies include using exotic quantum states to quantum detection schemes. This dissertation summarizes my effort in improving the precision of phase estimation with a linear and nonlinear interferometer. Chapter 1 introduces quantum optics and quantum metrology. I introduce all relevant quantum states of light used. We also look into tools and terminologies of quantum metrology such as Fisher information, shot-noise limit, Heisenberg limit, etc., along with examples of phase estimation with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In Chapter 2, I discuss multiple phase estimation using a multimode interferometer. Building upon previous work, our scheme consists of a multimode interferometer with single-photon inputs. By using a quantum Fisher information analysis, we show that our scheme gives a constant improvement over other schemes. We also show that our scheme with photon-number-resolving detection approaches the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound. Moreover, we also consider the probabilistic nature of photon emission at the input, and we study its effect on phase sensitivity. I discuss phase estimation with SU(1,1) interferometer in Chapter 3. We look at phase sensitivity in this interferometer with different input states. Namely, we consider two different phase estimation scheme, one using thermal and squeezed states, and others using coherent and displaced squeezed states with parity and on-off as a detection scheme. We also look into the effect of photon loss inside the interferometer. In Chapter 4, we revisit phase estimation in SU(1,1) interferometer from the perspective of quantum Fisher information. I discuss in detail a longstanding confusion regarding the use of quantum Fisher information in SU(1,1) interferometer. We show that phase averaging or quantum Fisher information matrix method is needed in general for calculating the phase sensitivity which resolves inconsistencies reported in previously published articles.

Civil War Book Review•Feb 22, 2019•0 citations

Optimal strategy for multiple-phase estimation under practical measurement with multimode NOON states

Junaid ur Rehman, Seongjin Hong, Seung-Woo Lee +7 more

Quantum multiple parameter estimation can achieve an enhanced sensitivity beyond the classical limit. Although a theoretical ultimate sensitivity bound for multiple phase estimation is given by the quantum Cramer-Rao bound (QCRB), experimental implementations to saturate the QCRB typically require an impractical setup including entangled measurements. Since it is experimentally challenging to implement an entangled measurement, the practical sensitivity is given by the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) relevant to the measurement probabilities. Here, we consider the problem of practical sensitivity bound for multiple phase estimation with quantum probe states and a measurement setup without entanglement, which consists of a beam splitter followed by the photon-number-resolving measurement. In this practical measurement scheme, we show that lower CRB can be achieved with a quantum probe state even with higher QCRB.

Physical Review A•Sep 21, 2022•9 citations

Quantum parameter estimation using general single-mode Gaussian states

Olivier Pinel, Pu Jian, Nicolas Treps +2 more

We calculate the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound for the sensitivity with which one or several parameters, encoded in a general single-mode Gaussian state, can be estimated. This includes in particular the interesting case of mixed Gaussian states. We apply the formula to the problems of estimating phase, purity, loss, amplitude, and squeezing. In the case of the simultaneous measurement of several parameters, we provide the full quantum Fisher information matrix. Our results unify previously known partial results and constitute a complete solution to the problem of knowing the best possible sensitivity of measurements based on a single-mode Gaussian state.

arXiv:1307.4637•Physical Review A•Oct 31, 2013•246 citations

Estimation of multiple parameters encoded in the modal structure of light

Alexander Boeschoten, Giacomo Sorelli, Manuel Gessner +2 more

We investigate the problem of estimating simultaneously multiple parameters encoded in the shape of the modes on which the light is expanded. For this, we generalize the mode-encoded parameter estimation theory as introduced in Ref.[1] to a multi-parameter scenario. We derive the general expression for the Quantum Fisher information matrix and establish the conditions under which the multi-parameter Quantum Cramér-Rao bound is attainable. In specific scenarios, we find that each parameter can be associated with a mode -- the detection mode -- that is proportional to the derivative of either a single non-vacuum mode or the mean-field mode. For a single non-vacuum mode, the correlation between parameters is determined by the real part of the overlap of these detection modes, while in the case of a strong mean-field by the covariance of the quadrature operators of the derivative modes. In both cases, the attainability of the Quantum Cramér-Rao bound is determined by the imaginary part of the overlap of the detection modes. Our findings provide clear criteria for optimal joint estimation of parameters encoded in the modal structure of light, and can be used to benchmark experimental multi-parameter estimations and find optimal measurement strategies by carefully shaping the modes and populating them with non-classical light.

arXiv:2505.16435•May 22, 2025•2 citations
For a fixed average energy, the simultaneous estimation of multiple phases can provide a better total precision than estimating them individually. We show this for a multimode interferometer with a phase in each mode, using Gaussian inputs and passive elements, by calculating the covariance matrix. The quantum Cram'er-Rao bound provides a lower bound to the covariance matrix via the quantum Fisher information matrix, whose elements we derive to be the covariances of the photon numbers across the modes. We prove that this bound can be saturated. In spite of the Gaussian nature of the problem, the calculation of non-Gaussian integrals is required, which we accomplish analytically. We find our simultaneous strategy to yield no more than a factor-of-2 improvement in total precision, possibly because of a fundamental performance limitation of Gaussian states. Our work shows that no modal entanglement is necessary for simultaneous quantum-enhanced estimation of multiple phases.
We investigate the ultimate precision achievable in Gaussian quantum metrology. We derive general analytical expressions for the quantum Fisher information matrix and for the measurement compatibility condition, ensuring asymptotic saturability of the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound, for the estimation of multiple parameters encoded in multimode Gaussian states. We then apply our results to the joint estimation of a phase shift and two parameters characterizing Gaussian phase covariant noise in optical interferometry. In such a scheme, we show that two-mode displaced squeezed input probes with optimally tuned squeezing and displacement fulfill the measurement compatibility condition and enable the simultaneous estimation of all three parameters, with an advantage over individual estimation schemes that quickly rises with increasing mean energy of the probes.
Abstract We derive several expressions for the quantum Fisher information matrix (QFIM) for the multi-parameter estimation of multi-mode Gaussian quantum states, the corresponding symmetric logarithmic derivatives, and conditions for saturability of the quantum Cramér–Rao bound. This bound determines the ultimate precision with which parameters encoded into quantum states can be estimated. We include expressions for mixed states, for the case when the Williamson decomposition of the covariance matrix is known, expressions in terms of infinite series, and expressions for pure states. We also discuss problematic behavior when some modes are pure, and present a method that allows the use of expressions that are defined only for mixed states, to compute QFIM for states with any number of pure modes.
Phase estimation has a wide range of applications. Over the years, several strategies have been studied to improve precision in phase estimation. These strategies include using exotic quantum states to quantum detection schemes. This dissertation summarizes my effort in improving the precision of phase estimation with a linear and nonlinear interferometer. Chapter 1 introduces quantum optics and quantum metrology. I introduce all relevant quantum states of light used. We also look into tools and terminologies of quantum metrology such as Fisher information, shot-noise limit, Heisenberg limit, etc., along with examples of phase estimation with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In Chapter 2, I discuss multiple phase estimation using a multimode interferometer. Building upon previous work, our scheme consists of a multimode interferometer with single-photon inputs. By using a quantum Fisher information analysis, we show that our scheme gives a constant improvement over other schemes. We also show that our scheme with photon-number-resolving detection approaches the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound. Moreover, we also consider the probabilistic nature of photon emission at the input, and we study its effect on phase sensitivity. I discuss phase estimation with SU(1,1) interferometer in Chapter 3. We look at phase sensitivity in this interferometer with different input states. Namely, we consider two different phase estimation scheme, one using thermal and squeezed states, and others using coherent and displaced squeezed states with parity and on-off as a detection scheme. We also look into the effect of photon loss inside the interferometer. In Chapter 4, we revisit phase estimation in SU(1,1) interferometer from the perspective of quantum Fisher information. I discuss in detail a longstanding confusion regarding the use of quantum Fisher information in SU(1,1) interferometer. We show that phase averaging or quantum Fisher information matrix method is needed in general for calculating the phase sensitivity which resolves inconsistencies reported in previously published articles.
Quantum multiple parameter estimation can achieve an enhanced sensitivity beyond the classical limit. Although a theoretical ultimate sensitivity bound for multiple phase estimation is given by the quantum Cramer-Rao bound (QCRB), experimental implementations to saturate the QCRB typically require an impractical setup including entangled measurements. Since it is experimentally challenging to implement an entangled measurement, the practical sensitivity is given by the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) relevant to the measurement probabilities. Here, we consider the problem of practical sensitivity bound for multiple phase estimation with quantum probe states and a measurement setup without entanglement, which consists of a beam splitter followed by the photon-number-resolving measurement. In this practical measurement scheme, we show that lower CRB can be achieved with a quantum probe state even with higher QCRB.
We calculate the quantum Cram\'er-Rao bound for the sensitivity with which one or several parameters, encoded in a general single-mode Gaussian state, can be estimated. This includes in particular the interesting case of mixed Gaussian states. We apply the formula to the problems of estimating phase, purity, loss, amplitude, and squeezing. In the case of the simultaneous measurement of several parameters, we provide the full quantum Fisher information matrix. Our results unify previously known partial results and constitute a complete solution to the problem of knowing the best possible sensitivity of measurements based on a single-mode Gaussian state.
We investigate the problem of estimating simultaneously multiple parameters encoded in the shape of the modes on which the light is expanded. For this, we generalize the mode-encoded parameter estimation theory as introduced in Ref.[1] to a multi-parameter scenario. We derive the general expression for the Quantum Fisher information matrix and establish the conditions under which the multi-parameter Quantum Cramér-Rao bound is attainable. In specific scenarios, we find that each parameter can be associated with a mode -- the detection mode -- that is proportional to the derivative of either a single non-vacuum mode or the mean-field mode. For a single non-vacuum mode, the correlation between parameters is determined by the real part of the overlap of these detection modes, while in the case of a strong mean-field by the covariance of the quadrature operators of the derivative modes. In both cases, the attainability of the Quantum Cramér-Rao bound is determined by the imaginary part of the overlap of the detection modes. Our findings provide clear criteria for optimal joint estimation of parameters encoded in the modal structure of light, and can be used to benchmark experimental multi-parameter estimations and find optimal measurement strategies by carefully shaping the modes and populating them with non-classical light.