Recently, there has been significant interest in multiple-parameter quantum estimation techniques that exploit quantum resources. In particular, the estimation of optical transmission is a crucial parameter in various scientific fields and industries. In optical-based sensing, precision can be enhanced through two approaches: increasing the number of photons that interact with the samples and utilizing quantum states of light. In this paper, we investigate multiple transmission estimation using bright two-mode squeezed states (bTMSSs), which combine the advantages of both bright light and quantum states. We calculate the precision bound for multiple transmission estimation by employing multiple copies of bTMSSs with experimentally feasible optimal measurement, determining both the quantum Cramer-Rao bound and the Cramer-Rao bound. Our results demonstrate that multiple copies of bTMSSs can achieve quantum-enhanced sensitivity for multiple transmissions compared to coherent states, and the ultimate limit of precision can be attained in regions with high nonlinear gain. Furthermore, as an application, we show the quantum-enhanced sensing in circular dichroism sensing using a pair of bTMSSs. Our strategy for multiple transmission estimation offers a practical platform for exploring real-world quantum sensing applications.
This thesis explores the interference of nonclassical states of light, particularly Fock and Gaussian states, in noisy linear interferometers, with applications to quantum information and quantum sensing. Using the phase-space formalism, analytical tools based on generating functions are developed to describe quantum optical interference in a unified way. For multiphoton Fock states, new zero probability events (suppression laws) are identified beyond the previously derived symmetry permutation principle, revealing rich interference structures that is degraded with photon distinguishability. For Gaussian states, the Hafnian-based description of Gaussian Boson Sampling is extended to include partial distinguishability via the overlap matrix of the internal state of the photons. Finally, the link between these interference effects and quantum multiparameter estimation is examined for the simultaneous estimation of phase and loss. This study shows that while probe incompatibility can vanish for optimized non-Gaussian states and some two-mode Gaussian states, at high photon number, measurement incompatibility remains a fundamental constraint even in this limit.
The signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of three Gaussian-state ghost-imaging configurations---distinguished by the nature of their light sources---are derived. Two use classical-state light, specifically a joint signal-reference field state that has either the maximum phase-insensitive or the maximum phase-sensitive cross correlation consistent with having a proper P representation. The third uses nonclassical light, in particular an entangled signal-reference field state with the maximum phase-sensitive cross correlation permitted by quantum mechanics. Analytic SNR expressions are developed for the near-field and far-field regimes, within which simple asymptotic approximations are presented for low-brightness and high-brightness sources. A high-brightness thermal-state (classical phase-insensitive state) source will typically achieve a higher SNR than a biphoton-state (low-brightness, low-flux limit of the entangled-state) source, when all other system parameters are equal for the two systems. With high efficiency photon-number-resolving detectors, a low-brightness, high-flux entangled-state source may achieve a higher SNR than that obtained with a high-brightness thermal-state source.
Quantum sensing and communication (QSC) is pivotal for developing next-generation networks with unprecedented performance. Many implementations of existing QSC systems employ Gaussian states as they can be easily realized using current technologies. However, Gaussian states lack non-classical properties necessary to unleash the full potential of QSC. This motivates the use of non-Gaussian states, which have non-classical properties beneficial for QSC. This paper establishes a theoretical foundation for QSC employing photon-varied Gaussian states (PVGSs). The PVGSs are non-Gaussian states that can be generated from Gaussian states using current technologies. First, we derive a closed-form expression for the generalized bilinear generating function of ordinary Hermite polynomials and show how it can be used to describe PVGSs. Then, we characterize PVGSs by deriving their Fock representation and their inner product. We also determine equivalence conditions for Gaussian states obtained from arbitrary permutations of rotation, displacement, and squeezing operators. Finally, we explore the use of PVGSs for QSC in several case studies.