Estimation of Gaussian random displacement using non-Gaussian states

Abstract

In continuous-variable quantum information processing, quantum error correction of Gaussian errors requires simultaneous estimation of both quadrature components of displacements in phase space. However, quadrature operators x and p are noncommutative conjugate observables, whose simultaneous measurement is prohibited by the uncertainty principle. Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) error correction deals with this problem using complex non-Gaussian states called GKP states. On the other hand, simultaneous estimation of displacement using experimentally feasible non-Gaussian states has not been well studied. In this paper, we consider a multiparameter estimation problem of displacements assuming an isotropic Gaussian prior distribution and allowing postselection of measurement outcomes. We derive a lower bound for the estimation error when only Gaussian operations are used and show that even simple non-Gaussian states such as single-photon states can beat this bound. Based on Ghosh's bound, we also obtain a lower bound for the estimation error when the maximum photon number of the input state is given. Our results reveal the role of non-Gaussianity in the estimation of displacements and pave the way toward the error correction of Gaussian errors using experimentally feasible non-Gaussian states.