Phase space Heisenberg-limited estimation of the average phase shift in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer

Abstract

We address the problem of distributed quantum metrology with a single squeezed-vacuum source by using the formalism of quantum mechanics in phase space. In particular, we demonstrate Heisenberg-limited sensitivity in the measurement of the average of two arbitrary phase shifts in the arms of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer. We obtain exact results for the measurement probability at the interferometer output for any value of the phases, which give us insight into the emergence of Heisenberg-limited sensitivity for periodical values of the phases.