Coherence and quantum Fisher information in general single-qubit parameter estimation processes

Abstract

Quantum metrology is superior to classical metrology in parameter estimation. This is because quantum states have coherence that, however, does not exist in classical states. Previous works were limited to the study of the relationship between quantum Fisher information (QFI) and coherence of the initial probe state only for a specific single-qubit parameter estimation process (e.g., a process described by a single-qubit spin angular momentum operator ${J}_{z}$). Here, we consider a more general case and study the relationship between QFI and coherence of the initial probe state for a single-qubit general parameter estimation process, which is described by a single-qubit spin angular momentum operator ${J}_{\stackrel{P\vec}{n}}$ with a general unit vector $\stackrel{P\vec}{n}$. We find that the QFI is proportional to the square of coherence of the initial probe state, when the single-qubit bases are eigenstates of the spin angular momentum operator ${J}_{\stackrel{P\vec}{n}}$ describing the parametrization process. We also design and conduct a linear optical experiment to support our theory. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical ones. This work provides an important guideline for enhancing the precision of parameter estimation.