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Quantum-dense metrology

Abstract

Quantum metrology utilizes entanglement to improve the sensitivity of measurements1,2,3. To date, the focus has been on the measurement of a single observable. Its orthogonal observable, however, may contain additional information, the knowledge of which can be used to further improve the measurement result beyond what is possible with state-of-the-art quantum metrology. Here we demonstrate a laser interferometer that provides information about two non-commuting observables, with uncertainties below the meter's quantum ground state. Our experiment is a proof of principle of what we call ‘quantum-dense metrology’, referring to its increased measurement information and its analogy to quantum-dense coding in quantum information science. We propose to use the additional information to discriminate between the actual science signal and parasitic signals originating from scattered photons. Our approach can be readily applied to improve squeezed-light enhanced gravitational-wave detectors at non-quantum noise-limited detection frequencies by providing a sub-shot-noise veto trigger against stray-light-induced signals.

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Figure 1: Schematic showing the underlying principle of QDM.
Figure 2: Schematic set-up for the experimental demonstration of QDM.
Figure 3: Experimental demonstration of QDM.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge discussions with T. Eberle, V. Händchen and H. Lück. This research was financed by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Sonderforschungsbereich Transregio 7, project C8), the European Union Seventh Framework Programme for Research (FP7), project ‘Quantum Interfaces, Sensors and Communication based on Entanglement’ (Q-ESSENCE), and supported by the Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space–Time Research (QUEST) and the International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Gravitational Wave Astronomy.

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Contributions

R.S. developed the initial idea for this work. H.M-E. and S.S. contributed to the theoretical background. S.S., J.B. and R.S. conceived the experiment. S.S., J.B. and M.M. conducted the experiment under supervision from K.D. and R.S.

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Correspondence to Roman Schnabel.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Steinlechner, S., Bauchrowitz, J., Meinders, M. et al. Quantum-dense metrology. Nature Photon 7, 626–630 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2013.150

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