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:2311.02066

Asymptotic behavior of continuous weak measurement and its application to real-time parameter estimation

Chungwei Lin, Yanting Ma, Dries Sels

Published Nov 3, 2023• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The asymptotic quantum trajectory of weak continuous measurement for the magnetometer is investigated. The magnetometer refers to a setup where the field-to-estimate and the measured moment are orthogonal, and the quantum state is governed by the stochastic master equation which, in addition to a deterministic part, depends on the measurement outcomes. We find that the asymptotic behavior is insensitive to the initial state in the following sense: given one realization, the quantum trajectories starting from arbitrary initial states asymptotically converge to the {\em same} realization-specific {\em pure} state. For single-qubit systems, we are able to prove this statement within the framework of Probability Theory by deriving and analyzing an effective one-dimensional stochastic equation. Numerical simulations strongly indicate that the same statement holds for multi-qubit systems. Built upon this conclusion, we consider the problem of real-time parameter estimation whose feasibility hinges on the insensitivity to the initial state, and explicitly propose and test a scheme where the quantum state and the field-to-estimate are updated simultaneously.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2311.02066

Related papers

Parameter Estimation for Diffusive Stochastic Master Equations in Continuously Observed Quantum Systems

Mitsuki Kobayashi, Shohei Nakajima

Continuous measurement of quantum systems gives rise to stochastic dynamics of the conditional quantum state, described by diffusive stochastic master equations. In this paper, we study parameter estimation for such equations when the Hamiltonian and measurement operators depend on unknown parameters. Based on multiple independent observed trajectories with a known initial state, we construct a contrast function using the deterministic averaged state and define a maximum contrast estimator for the unknown parameter. We prove strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the parameter estimator in a fixed-time, many-trajectory asymptotic regime. A key point is that the covariance matrix appearing in the asymptotic normality is given in a form that naturally leads to a consistent covariance estimator. This covariance estimator is computable from the observed data together with the deterministic averaged dynamics, so the asymptotic normality result can be used to construct standard errors and assess uncertainty for the parameter estimator.

arXiv:2609.10291•Sep 9, 2026•0 citations

On estimation and feedback control of spin-1/2 systems with unknown initial states

Weichao Liang, Nina H. Amini, Paolo Mason

In this paper, we consider stochastic master equations describing the evolutions of quantum systems interacting with electromagnetic fields undergoing continuous-time measurements. In particular, we study feedback control of quantum spin1/2 systems in the case of unawareness of initial states and in presence of measurement imperfections. We prove that the fidelity between the true quantum filter and its estimation (with arbitrary initial state) converges to one under appropriate assumption on the feedback controller. This shows the asymptotic convergence of such filters. In the more general case of spin-J systems, we discuss heuristically the asymptotic behavior of the true quantum filter and the associated estimation, and the possibility of exponentially stabilizing such systems towards an eigenvector of the measurement operator by an appropriate feedback.

arXiv:1912.01074•IFAC-PapersOnLine•Jan 1, 2020•3 citations

Real-time optimal quantum control for atomic magnetometers with decoherence

Julia Amoros-Binefa

Quantum entanglement, in the form of spin squeezing, is known to improve the sensitivity of atomic sensors to static or slowly varying fields. Sensing transient events presents a distinct challenge, requires different analysis tools, and has not been shown to benefit from entanglement in practically important scenarios such as spin-precession magnetometry. To address this, we apply concepts from continuous quantum measurements and estimation theory to optical atomic magnetometers, aiming to accurately model these devices, interpret their measurement data, control their dynamics, and achieve optimal sensitivity. Quantifying this optimal performance requires determining a fundamental quantum limit on sensitivity. We derive this limit, imposed by noise, and show that it scales at best linearly with sensing time and atom number N, ruling out any super-classical scaling. This limit is independent of the initial state, measurement, estimator, and measurement-based feedback, and depends only on the decoherence model and the strength of field fluctuations. Thus, finding an estimator that attains this bound proves the sensing strategy optimal. To approach this limit, we develop a quantum dynamical model scalable with N, based on a co-moving Gaussian approximation of the stochastic master equation, which includes measurement backaction and decoherence. This enables a real-time estimation and control architecture integrating an extended Kalman filter with a linear quadratic regulator. Simulating the magnetometer with our model and EKF+LQR strategy shows that quantum-limited tracking of constant and fluctuating fields is within reach of current atomic magnetometers. Our sensing strategy can also track biologically relevant signals, such as heartbeat-like waveforms, and drive the atomic ensemble into an entangled state, even when the measurement record is used for feedback but later discarded.

quant-pharXiv:2512.05265•Dec 8, 2025•0 citations

On the robustness of stabilizing feedbacks for quantum spin-1/2 systems

Weichao Liang, Nina H. Amini, Paolo Mason

In this paper, we consider stochastic master equations describing the evolution of quantum spin-1/2 systems interacting with electromagnetic fields undergoing continuous-time measurements. We suppose that the initial states and the exact values of the physical parameters are unknown. We prove that the feedback stabilization strategy considered in [1] is robust to these imperfections. This is shown by studying the asymptotic behavior of the coupled stochastic master equations describing the evolutions of the actual state and the estimated one under appropriate assumptions on the feedback controller. We provide sufficient conditions on the feedback controller and a valid domain of estimated parameters which ensure exponential stabilization of the coupled system. Furthermore, our results allow us to answer positively to [2], [Conjecture 4.4] in the case of spin-1/2 systems with unknown initial states, even in presence of imprecisely known physical parameters.

arXiv:2004.05638•IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC)•Dec 14, 2020•14 citations

Parameter estimation from measurements along quantum trajectories

Pierre Six, Philippe Campagne-Ibarcq, Landry Bretheau +2 more

The dynamics of many open quantum systems are described by stochastic master equations. In the discrete-time case, we recall the structure of the derived quantum filter governing the evolution of the density operator conditioned to the measurement outcomes. We then describe the structure of the corresponding particle quantum filters for estimating constant parameter and we prove their stability. In the continuous-time (diffusive) case, we propose a new formulation of these particle quantum filters. The interest of this new formulation is first to prove stability, and also to provide an efficient algorithm preserving, for any discretization step-size, positivity of the quantum states and parameter classical probabilities. This algorithm is tested on experimental data to estimate the detection efficiency for a superconducting qubit whose fluorescence field is measured using a heterodyne detector.

arXiv:1503.06149•IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC)•Dec 1, 2015•26 citations

Classical Tracking for Quantum Trajectories

Jason F. Ralph, Simon R. Maskell, Michael J. Ransom +1 more

Quantum state estimation, based on the numerical integration of stochastic master equations (SMEs), provides estimates for the evolution of quantum systems subject to continuous weak measurements. The approach is similar to classical state estimation methods in that the ‘quantum trajectories’ produced by solving the SME are conditioned on continuous classical measurement signals. In this paper, we explore the use of classical state estimation for a candidate quantum system, one based on an experimentally realisable system: a material object undergoing continuous feedback cooling in an optical trap. In particular, we demonstrate that classical tracking methods based on particle filters can be used to track quantum states, and are particularly useful for higher temperature regimes where quantum state estimation becomes computationally demanding.

arXiv:2202.00276•International Conference on Information Fusion (FUSION)•Nov 1, 2021•2 citations
The asymptotic quantum trajectory of weak continuous measurement for the magnetometer is investigated. The magnetometer refers to a setup where the field-to-estimate and the measured moment are orthogonal, and the quantum state is governed by the stochastic master equation which, in addition to a deterministic part, depends on the measurement outcomes. We find that the asymptotic behavior is insensitive to the initial state in the following sense: given one realization, the quantum trajectories starting from arbitrary initial states asymptotically converge to the {\em same} realization-specific {\em pure} state. For single-qubit systems, we are able to prove this statement within the framework of Probability Theory by deriving and analyzing an effective one-dimensional stochastic equation. Numerical simulations strongly indicate that the same statement holds for multi-qubit systems. Built upon this conclusion, we consider the problem of real-time parameter estimation whose feasibility hinges on the insensitivity to the initial state, and explicitly propose and test a scheme where the quantum state and the field-to-estimate are updated simultaneously.
Continuous measurement of quantum systems gives rise to stochastic dynamics of the conditional quantum state, described by diffusive stochastic master equations. In this paper, we study parameter estimation for such equations when the Hamiltonian and measurement operators depend on unknown parameters. Based on multiple independent observed trajectories with a known initial state, we construct a contrast function using the deterministic averaged state and define a maximum contrast estimator for the unknown parameter. We prove strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the parameter estimator in a fixed-time, many-trajectory asymptotic regime. A key point is that the covariance matrix appearing in the asymptotic normality is given in a form that naturally leads to a consistent covariance estimator. This covariance estimator is computable from the observed data together with the deterministic averaged dynamics, so the asymptotic normality result can be used to construct standard errors and assess uncertainty for the parameter estimator.
In this paper, we consider stochastic master equations describing the evolutions of quantum systems interacting with electromagnetic fields undergoing continuous-time measurements. In particular, we study feedback control of quantum spin1/2 systems in the case of unawareness of initial states and in presence of measurement imperfections. We prove that the fidelity between the true quantum filter and its estimation (with arbitrary initial state) converges to one under appropriate assumption on the feedback controller. This shows the asymptotic convergence of such filters. In the more general case of spin-J systems, we discuss heuristically the asymptotic behavior of the true quantum filter and the associated estimation, and the possibility of exponentially stabilizing such systems towards an eigenvector of the measurement operator by an appropriate feedback.
Quantum entanglement, in the form of spin squeezing, is known to improve the sensitivity of atomic sensors to static or slowly varying fields. Sensing transient events presents a distinct challenge, requires different analysis tools, and has not been shown to benefit from entanglement in practically important scenarios such as spin-precession magnetometry. To address this, we apply concepts from continuous quantum measurements and estimation theory to optical atomic magnetometers, aiming to accurately model these devices, interpret their measurement data, control their dynamics, and achieve optimal sensitivity. Quantifying this optimal performance requires determining a fundamental quantum limit on sensitivity. We derive this limit, imposed by noise, and show that it scales at best linearly with sensing time and atom number N, ruling out any super-classical scaling. This limit is independent of the initial state, measurement, estimator, and measurement-based feedback, and depends only on the decoherence model and the strength of field fluctuations. Thus, finding an estimator that attains this bound proves the sensing strategy optimal. To approach this limit, we develop a quantum dynamical model scalable with N, based on a co-moving Gaussian approximation of the stochastic master equation, which includes measurement backaction and decoherence. This enables a real-time estimation and control architecture integrating an extended Kalman filter with a linear quadratic regulator. Simulating the magnetometer with our model and EKF+LQR strategy shows that quantum-limited tracking of constant and fluctuating fields is within reach of current atomic magnetometers. Our sensing strategy can also track biologically relevant signals, such as heartbeat-like waveforms, and drive the atomic ensemble into an entangled state, even when the measurement record is used for feedback but later discarded.
In this paper, we consider stochastic master equations describing the evolution of quantum spin-1/2 systems interacting with electromagnetic fields undergoing continuous-time measurements. We suppose that the initial states and the exact values of the physical parameters are unknown. We prove that the feedback stabilization strategy considered in [1] is robust to these imperfections. This is shown by studying the asymptotic behavior of the coupled stochastic master equations describing the evolutions of the actual state and the estimated one under appropriate assumptions on the feedback controller. We provide sufficient conditions on the feedback controller and a valid domain of estimated parameters which ensure exponential stabilization of the coupled system. Furthermore, our results allow us to answer positively to [2], [Conjecture 4.4] in the case of spin-1/2 systems with unknown initial states, even in presence of imprecisely known physical parameters.
The dynamics of many open quantum systems are described by stochastic master equations. In the discrete-time case, we recall the structure of the derived quantum filter governing the evolution of the density operator conditioned to the measurement outcomes. We then describe the structure of the corresponding particle quantum filters for estimating constant parameter and we prove their stability. In the continuous-time (diffusive) case, we propose a new formulation of these particle quantum filters. The interest of this new formulation is first to prove stability, and also to provide an efficient algorithm preserving, for any discretization step-size, positivity of the quantum states and parameter classical probabilities. This algorithm is tested on experimental data to estimate the detection efficiency for a superconducting qubit whose fluorescence field is measured using a heterodyne detector.
Quantum state estimation, based on the numerical integration of stochastic master equations (SMEs), provides estimates for the evolution of quantum systems subject to continuous weak measurements. The approach is similar to classical state estimation methods in that the ‘quantum trajectories’ produced by solving the SME are conditioned on continuous classical measurement signals. In this paper, we explore the use of classical state estimation for a candidate quantum system, one based on an experimentally realisable system: a material object undergoing continuous feedback cooling in an optical trap. In particular, we demonstrate that classical tracking methods based on particle filters can be used to track quantum states, and are particularly useful for higher temperature regimes where quantum state estimation becomes computationally demanding.