A variational toolbox for quantum multi-parameter estimation
Open Access
- 3 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in npj Quantum Information
- Vol. 7 (1), 1-5
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-021-00425-y
Abstract
With an ever-expanding ecosystem of noisy and intermediate-scale quantum devices, exploring their possible applications is a rapidly growing field of quantum information science. In this work, we demonstrate that variational quantum algorithms feasible on such devices address a challenge central to the field of quantum metrology: The identification of near-optimal probes and measurement operators for noisy multi-parameter estimation problems. We first introduce a general framework that allows for sequential updates of variational parameters to improve probe states and measurements and is widely applicable to both discrete and continuous-variable settings. We then demonstrate the practical functioning of the approach through numerical simulations, showcasing how tailored probes and measurements improve over standard methods in the noisy regime. Along the way, we prove the validity of a general parameter-shift rule for noisy evolutions, expected to be of general interest in variational quantum algorithms. In our approach, we advocate the mindset of quantum-aided design, exploiting quantum technology to learn close to optimal, experimentally feasible quantum metrology protocols.Funding Information
- Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (PlanQK, PlanQK)
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (024.003.037)
- John Templeton Foundation (58188)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (CRC 183 B01)
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