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Quantum Metrology
Atoms and photons are the quantum probes that enable some of mankind’s most precise measurements.
Some recent examples include atomic clocks resolving the gravitational red shift at the centimeter level and the celebrated first observation of gravitational waves with long baseline interferometers.
Intriguingly, quantum entanglement can be used to further improve the best quantum sensors by removing one of their most fundamental noise sources, the quantum projection noise.
In this course we will use the general framework of quantum phase estimation and of metrologically useful entanglement, which will be established (or recalled, for some of you) in the beginning of the course.
We will then apply these notions to real quantum sensors using photons and atoms and highlight some of the latest results in this rapidly evolving field.
The course thus has both conceptual and applied aspects, both of which will be deepened in the tutorial sessions.
Syllabus
First part: Photonic quantum metrology
Second part: Atomic quantum metrology
Prerequisites
Basic quantum mechanics and notions of quantum optics and atomic physics, such as the Bloch sphere formalism.
Evaluation
Two-part written exam. The first part consists of problems similar to those covered in the exercise sessions, the second part asks questions about two research articles, which are made available ahead of the exam.