arXiv subjects

Lewis A. Clark

Publications and source records attributed to Lewis A. Clark.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Comparing quantum and classical finite state generators

Bell-CHSH-like inequalities have been very successful in benchmarking {\it spatial} quantum correlations. However, as this paper illustrates, they are in general not sufficient for benchmarking {\it temporal} quantum correlations. To show this, we parametrise classical and quantum stochastic finite state generators based on a single bit and a single qubit, respectively, and compare the temporal correlations of their output sequences using a Bell-CHSH-like inequality. We find that for sequential measurements by two observers, Alice and Bob, classical machines can exceed the Tsirelson bound of $2\sqrt{2}$, due to their fundamental structure. However, when we consider a time delay between consecutive measurements, we find examples where the quantum machines outperform their classical counterparts by maintaining correlations longer under generally scrambling operations. Our result can be used to distinguish quantum from classical processes and to identify novel resources for quantum technology applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Unlocking photodetection for quantum sensing with Bayesian likelihood-free methods and deep learning

To operate quantum sensors at their quantum limit in real time, it is crucial to identify efficient data inference tools for rapid parameter estimation. In photodetection, the key challenge is the fast interpretation of click-patterns that exhibit non-classical statistics -- the very features responsible for the quantum enhancement of precision. We achieve this goal by comparing Bayesian likelihood-free methods with ones based on deep learning (DL). While the former are more conceptually intuitive, the latter, once trained, provide significantly faster estimates with comparable precision and yield similar predictions of the associated errors, challenging a common misconception that DL lacks such capabilities. We first verify both approaches for an analytically tractable, yet multiparameter, scenario of a two-level system emitting uncorrelated photons. Our main result, however, is the application to a driven nonlinear optomechanical device emitting non-classical light with complex multiclick correlations; in this case, our methods are essential for fast inference and, hence, unlock the possibility of distinguishing different photon statistics in real time. Our results pave the way for dynamical control of quantum sensors that leverage non-classical effects in photodetection.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Efficient inference of quantum system parameters by Approximate Bayesian Computation

The ability to efficiently infer system parameters is essential in any signal-processing task that requires fast operation. Dealing with quantum systems, a serious challenge arises due to substantial growth of the underlying Hilbert space with the system size. As the statistics of the measurement data observed, i.e. the likelihood, can no longer be easily computed, common approaches such as maximum-likelihood estimators or particle filters become impractical. To address this issue, we propose the use of the Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) algorithm, which evades likelihood computation by sampling from a library of measurement data -- a priori prepared for a given quantum device. We apply ABC to interpret photodetection click-patterns arising when probing in real time a two-level atom and an optomechanical system. For the latter, we consider both linear and non-linear regimes, in order to show how to tailor the ABC algorithm by understanding the quantum measurement statistics. Our work demonstrates that fast parameter inference may be possible no matter the complexity of a quantum device and the measurement scheme involved.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Quantum physics cannot be captured by classical linear hidden variable theories even in the absence of entanglement

Recent experimental tests of Bell inequalities confirm that entangled quantum systems cannot be described by local classical theories but still do not answer the question whether or not quantum systems could in principle be modelled by linear hidden variable theories. In this paper, we study the quantum trajectories of a single qubit that experiences a sequence of repeated generalised measurements. It is shown that this system, which constitutes a Hidden Quantum Markov Model, is more likely to produce complex time correlations than any classical Hidden Markov Model with two output symbols. From this, we conclude that quantum physics cannot be replaced by linear hidden variable theories. Indeed, it has already been recognised that not only entanglement but also non-classical time correlations of quantum systems with quantum feedback are a valuable resource for quantum technology applications.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Quantum jump metrology in a two-cavity network

Quantum metrology enhances measurement precision by utilising the properties of quantum physics. In interferometry, this is typically achieved by evolving highly-entangled quantum states before performing single-shot measurements to reveal information about an unknown parameter. While this is often the optimum approach, implementation with all but the smallest states is still extremely challenging. An alternative approach is quantum jump metrology [L. A. Clark et al., Phys. Rev. A 99, 022102 (2019)] which deduces information by continuously monitoring an open quantum system, while inducing phase-dependent temporal correlations with the help of quantum feedback. Taking this approach here, we analyse measurements of a relative phase in an optical network of two cavities with quantum feedback in the form of laser pulses. It is shown that the proposed approach can exceed the standard quantum limit without the need for complex quantum states while being scalable and more practical than previous related schemes.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Exploiting non-linear effects in optomechanical sensors with continuous photon-counting

Optomechanical systems are rapidly becoming one of the most promising platforms for observing quantum behaviour, especially at the macroscopic level. Moreover, thanks to their state-of-the-art methods of fabrication, they may now enter regimes of non-linear interactions between their constituent mechanical and optical degrees of freedom. In this work, we show how this novel opportunity may serve to construct a new generation of optomechanical sensors. We consider the canonical optomechanical setup with the detection scheme being based on time-resolved counting of photons leaking from the cavity. By performing simulations and resorting to Bayesian inference, we demonstrate that the non-classical correlations of the detected photons may crucially enhance the sensor performance in real time. We believe that our work may stimulate a new direction in the design of such devices, while our methods apply also to other platforms exploiting non-linear light-matter interactions and photon detection.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Asymmetric arms maximise visibility in hot-electron interferometers

We consider theoretically an electronic Mach-Zehnder interferometer constructed from quantum Hall edge channels and quantum point contacts, fed with single electrons from a dynamic quantum dot source. By considering the energy dependence of the edge-channel guide centres, we give an account of the phase averaging in this set up that is particularly relevant for the short, high-energy wavepackets injected by this type of electron source. We present both analytic and numerical results for the energy-dependent arrival time distributions of the electrons and also give an analysis of the delay times associated with the quantum point contacts and their effects on the interference patterns. A key finding is that, contrary to expectation, maximum visibility requires the interferometer arms to be different in length, with an offset of up to a micron for typical parameters. By designing interferometers that incorporate this asymmetry in their geometry, phase-averaging effects can be overcome such that visibility is only limited by other incoherent mechanisms.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Mitigating decoherence in hot electron interferometry

Due to their high energy, hot electrons in quantum Hall edge states can be considered as single particles that have the potential to be used for quantum optics-like experiments. Unlike photons, however, electrons typically undergo scattering processes in transport, which results in a loss of coherence and limits their ability to show quantum-coherent behaviour. Here we study theoretically the decoherence mechanisms of hot electrons in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, and highlight the role played by both acoustic and optical phonon emission. We discuss optimal choices of experimental parameters and show that high visibilities of $\gtrsim 85\%$ are achievable in hot-electron devices over relatively long distances of 10 $μ$m. We also discuss energy filtration techniques to remove decoherent electrons and show that this can increase visibilities to over $95\%$. This represents an improvement over Fermi-level electron quantum optics, and suggests hot-electron charge pumps as a platform for realising quantum-coherent nanoelectronic devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Non-ergodicity in open quantum systems through quantum feedback

It is well known that quantum feedback can alter the dynamics of open quantum systems dramatically. In this paper, we show that non-ergodicity may be induced through quantum feedback and resultantly create system dynamics that have lasting dependence on initial conditions. To demonstrate this, we consider an optical cavity inside an instantaneous quantum feedback loop, which can be implemented relatively easily in the laboratory. Non-ergodic quantum systems are of interest for applications in quantum information processing, quantum metrology and quantum sensing and could potentially aid the design of thermal machines whose efficiency is not limited by the laws of classical thermodynamics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Energy relaxation in hot electron quantum optics via acoustic and optical phonon emission

We study theoretically the relaxation of hot quantum-Hall edge-channel electrons under the emission of both acoustic and optical phonons. Aiming to model recent experiments with single-electron sources, we describe simulations that provide the distribution of electron energies and arrival times at a detector a fixed distance from the source. From these simulations we extract an effective rate of emission of optical phonons that contains contributions from both a direct emission process as well as one involving inter-edge-channel transitions that are driven by the sequential emission of first an acoustic -- and then an optical -- phonon. Furthermore, we consider the mean energy loss due to acoustic phonon emission and resultant broadening of the electron energy distribution and derive an effective drift-diffusion model for this process.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Quantum Jump Metrology

Quantum metrology exploits quantum correlations in specially prepared entangled or other non-classical states to perform measurements that exceed the standard quantum limit. Typically though, such states are hard to engineer, particularly when larger numbers of resources are desired. As an alternative, this paper aims to establish quantum jump metrology which is based on generalised sequential measurements as a general design principle for quantum metrology and discusses how to exploit open quantum systems to obtain a quantum enhancement. By analysing a simple toy model, we illustrate that parameter-dependent quantum feedback can indeed be used to exceed the standard quantum limit without the need for complex state preparation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Quantising the electromagnetic field near two-sided semi-transparent mirrors

This paper models light scattering through flat surfaces with finite transmission, reflection and absorption rates, with wave packets approaching the mirror from both sides. While using the same notion of photons as in free space, our model also accounts for the presence of mirror images and the possible exchange of energy between the electromagnetic field and the mirror surface. To test our model, we derive the spontaneous decay rate and the level shift of an atom in front of a semi-transparent mirror as a function of its transmission and reflection rates. When considering limiting cases and using standard approximations, our approach reproduces well-known results but it also paves the way for the modelling of more complex scenarios.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Quantum-enhanced metrology without entanglement based on optical cavities with feedback

There are a number of different strategies to measure the phase shift between two pathways of light more efficiently than suggested by the standard quantum limit. One way is to use highly entangled photons. Another way is to expose photons to a non-linear or interacting Hamiltonian. This paper emphasises that the conditional dynamics of open quantum systems provides an interesting additional tool for quantum-enhanced metrology. As a concrete example, we review a recent scheme which exploits the conditional dynamics of a laser-driven optical cavity with spontaneous photon emission inside a quantum feedback loop. Deducing information from second-order photon correlation measurements requires neither optical non-linearities nor entangled photons and should therefore be of immediate practical interest.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Quantum-enhanced metrology with the single-mode coherent states of an optical cavity inside a quantum feedback loop

In this paper, we use the non-linear dynamics of the individual quantum trajectories of an optical cavity inside an instantaneous quantum feedback loop to measure the phase shift between two pathways of light with an accuracy above the standard quantum limit. The feedback laser provides a reference frame and constantly increases the dependence of the state of the resonator on the unknown phase. Since our quantum metrology scheme can be implemented with current technology and does not require highly-efficient single photon detectors, it should be of practical interest until highly-entangled many-photon states become more readily available.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Hidden Quantum Markov Models and Open Quantum Systems with Instantaneous Feedback

Hidden Markov Models are widely used in classical computer science to model stochastic processes with a wide range of applications. This paper concerns the quantum analogues of these machines --- so-called Hidden Quantum Markov Models (HQMMs). Using the properties of Quantum Physics, HQMMs are able to generate more complex random output sequences than their classical counterparts, even when using the same number of internal states. They are therefore expected to find applications as quantum simulators of stochastic processes. Here, we emphasise that open quantum systems with instantaneous feedback are examples of HQMMs, thereby identifying a novel application of quantum feedback control.

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