Optimal Quantum Measurements for Phase Estimation

B. C. Sanders and G. J. Milburn
Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 2944 – Published 16 October 1995
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Abstract

Quantum information theory is applied to practical interferometer-based phase measurements to deduce the optimal phase measurement scheme with two optical modes. Optimal phase measurements, given ideal input states, reveal an asymptotic 1/n decrease in phase uncertainty Δθ for n the mean photon number of the input state. In contradistinction to previous schemes for realizing the number-phase uncertainty limit, the 1/n limit achieved here is independent of the interferometer phase shift; prior information about the expected phase shift is not necessary to attain this limit. These results apply more generally to su(2) and so(3) phase parameter estimation.

  • Received 28 March 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.2944

©1995 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

B. C. Sanders and G. J. Milburn

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy and Center for Advanced Studies, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-1156

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Issue

Vol. 75, Iss. 16 — 16 October 1995

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