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Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)

Quantum Sensing of Absorbance and the Beer-Lambert Law

Euan J. Allen, Javier Sabines-Chesterking, Patrick M. Birchall, Alex R. McMillan, Siddarth Koduru Joshi, Jonathan C. F. Matthews

Published Jun 1, 2019• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Optical quantum sensing strategies that utilise features of quantum states of light have implications for precision measurement in areas as wide ranging as such as gravitational wave sensing [1] and biological imaging [2]. Optical absorption estimation is the task of estimating the transmission parameter η which is defined by the ratio of input, Iin, to output, Iout, intensity of light from a sample of interest (Iout= ηIιη). The optimal quantum strategy provides a quantum advantage (per incident photon) of 1/(1-η) over the best classical strategy [3]. This technique has been demonstrated experimentally in single parameter estimation and imaging scenarios [4,5].

DOI
10.1109/cleoe-eqec.2019.8872681

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Optical quantum sensing strategies that utilise features of quantum states of light have implications for precision measurement in areas as wide ranging as such as gravitational wave sensing [1] and biological imaging [2]. Optical absorption estimation is the task of estimating the transmission parameter η which is defined by the ratio of input, Iin, to output, Iout, intensity of light from a sample of interest (Iout= ηIιη). The optimal quantum strategy provides a quantum advantage (per incident photon) of 1/(1-η) over the best classical strategy [3]. This technique has been demonstrated experimentally in single parameter estimation and imaging scenarios [4,5].
Quantum sensors allow the estimation of parameters with precision higher than that obtained with classical strategies. Devices based on quantum physics have allowed the precise estimation of the gravitational field, the detailed imaging of the brain, the detection of gravitational-wave sources more than 400 million light years away, and an ever-increasing precision in the measurement of time. Quantum metrology, which is the conceptual framework that encompasses all these devices, is reviewed here, emphasizing recent results regarding noisy systems.
Quantum optical sensing is a technique that utilizes quantum mechanics to enhance, sensitivity and precision to a level considered unparalleled so far. This chapter attempts to introduce the reader to the basics of this fast-growing field along with various technologies and applications. It begins with an explanation of quantum mechanics, superposition, entanglement, and quantum coherence that allow sensors to go beyond classical performance. One of the central technologies is quantum entanglement – the phenomenon whereby several particles become instantaneous spouses and are measured with utmost precision, for instance, distance, time, and magnetic fields. Entanglement Interferometry is entanglement applied in the detection of gravitational waves and high-resolution imaging. Squeezed light, the other area of interest, is a method that removes some of the fluctuations in one parameter of light, to increase the interferometer sensor, to measure small movements and low-frequency gravitational waves. Single photon emitting devices and detectors enable high-sensitivity measurements in applications such as bioimaging and quantum-securing communication. The chapter also illustrates the usage of this technology in practice in healthcare, environment, and navigation, like the examination of biomarkers and pollutants. Last is the discussion of issues such as quantum coherence and issues of scalability and development of QTs, as well as the proposed further development and more potential advances for QTs as a medium for mass use.
Optical techniques are widely used in many areas of science and technology to make accurate measurements and diagnostics, from microscopy, spectroscopy, chemical analysis, to gravitational wave detection and ranging. There are many reasons for this: light allows us to extract information in a remote and non-destructive way, it carries information in a massively parallel way, and perhaps more importantly, optical measurements can reach very high precision and sensitivity levels. It is therefore important to know what is the ultimate limit of sensitivity that can be possibly achieved in the estimation of a physical parameter p that is encoded in a light beam of fixed mean photon number N. This limit is imposed by the unavoidable quantum fluctuations of light and depends on the quantum state of light that conveys the information about p. When the light is in a coherent state, this limit is called ‘standard quantum limit’ and scales as 1/N1/2.
Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in understating the limitations imposed by quantum noise in precision measurements and devising techniques to reduce it. The attention is currently turning to the simultaneously estimation of several parameters of interest, driven by its promising potential across a wide range of sensing applications as well as fueled by experimental progress in various optical and atomic platforms. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of key research directions in multiparameter quantum sensing and metrology, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. We introduce the basic framework, discuss ultimate sensitivity bounds, optimal measurement strategies, and the role of quantum incompatibility, showing important differences with respect to single-parameter estimation. Additionally, we discuss emerging experimental implementations in distributed quantum sensing, including cutting-edge optimization techniques. This review aims to bridge the gap between theory and experiments, paving the way for the next-generation of quantum sensors and their integration with other quantum technologies.