Generalized limits for single-parameter quantum estimation

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Mar 2;98(9):090401. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.090401. Epub 2007 Feb 28.

Abstract

We develop generalized bounds for quantum single-parameter estimation problems for which the coupling to the parameter is described by intrinsic multisystem interactions. For a Hamiltonian with k-system parameter-sensitive terms, the quantum limit scales as 1/Nk, where N is the number of systems. These quantum limits remain valid when the Hamiltonian is augmented by any parameter-independent interaction among the systems and when adaptive measurements via parameter-independent coupling to ancillas are allowed.