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Main Authors: Ahnefeld, Felix, Theurer, Thomas, Plenio, Martin B.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18544
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author Ahnefeld, Felix
Theurer, Thomas
Plenio, Martin B.
author_facet Ahnefeld, Felix
Theurer, Thomas
Plenio, Martin B.
contents Quantum phase estimation is a core task in quantum technologies ranging from metrology to quantum computing, where it appears as a key subroutine in various algorithms. Here, we quantitatively connect the performance of phase estimation protocols with quantum coherence. To achieve this, we construct and characterize resource theories of quantum networks that cannot generate coherence. Given multiple copies of a unitary encoding an unknown phase and access to a fixed coherent state, we estimate the phase using such networks. For a unified and general approach, we assess the quality of the estimate using a generic cost function that penalizes deviations from the true value. We determine the minimal average cost that can be achieved in this manner and explicitly derive optimal protocols. From this, we construct a family of coherence measures that directly connect a state's coherence with its value for phase estimation, demonstrating that every bit of coherence helps. This establishes coherence as a resource that quantifies the performance of phase estimation, and, thus, of any quantum technology relying on it as a subroutine.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_18544
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Coherence as a resource for phase estimation
Ahnefeld, Felix
Theurer, Thomas
Plenio, Martin B.
Quantum Physics
Quantum phase estimation is a core task in quantum technologies ranging from metrology to quantum computing, where it appears as a key subroutine in various algorithms. Here, we quantitatively connect the performance of phase estimation protocols with quantum coherence. To achieve this, we construct and characterize resource theories of quantum networks that cannot generate coherence. Given multiple copies of a unitary encoding an unknown phase and access to a fixed coherent state, we estimate the phase using such networks. For a unified and general approach, we assess the quality of the estimate using a generic cost function that penalizes deviations from the true value. We determine the minimal average cost that can be achieved in this manner and explicitly derive optimal protocols. From this, we construct a family of coherence measures that directly connect a state's coherence with its value for phase estimation, demonstrating that every bit of coherence helps. This establishes coherence as a resource that quantifies the performance of phase estimation, and, thus, of any quantum technology relying on it as a subroutine.
title Coherence as a resource for phase estimation
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18544