Parameter estimation for quantum jump unraveling

Marco Radaelli1,2, Joseph A. Smiga3, Gabriel T. Landi3, and Felix C. Binder1,2

1School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
2Trinity Quantum Alliance, Unit 16, Trinity Technology and Enterprise Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
3Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, USA

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Abstract

We consider the estimation of parameters encoded in the measurement record of a continuously monitored quantum system in the jump unraveling, corresponding to a single-shot scenario, where information is continuously gathered. Here, it is generally difficult to assess the precision of the estimation procedure via the Fisher Information due to intricate temporal correlations and memory effects. In this paper we provide a full set of solutions to this problem. First, for multi-channel renewal processes we relate the Fisher Information to an underlying Markov chain and derive a easily computable expression for it. For non-renewal processes, we introduce a new algorithm that combines two methods: the monitoring operator method for metrology and the Gillespie algorithm which allows for efficient sampling of a stochastic form of the Fisher Information along individual quantum trajectories. We show that this stochastic Fisher Information satisfies useful properties related to estimation on a single run. Finally, we consider the case where some information is lost in data compression/post-selection and provide tools for computing the Fisher Information in this case. All scenarios are illustrated with instructive examples from quantum optics and condensed matter.

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