Optimization of parameter measurement precision with precoupling-assisted weak-value amplification

The weak-value amplification is extensively considered in precision metrology in order to achieve a higher sensitivity. Despite the practical benefits in amplifying small physical quantities, its metrological advantage still arouses a broad debate due to the low postselection probability of success. In this paper, by employing the quantum Fisher information metric, we show that the precision of estimating an unknown parameter can be improved by introducing a precoupling process with properly chosen interaction operators. We point out this result is credible for both real and imaginary weak values. By tracking the meter wave functions, we find this enhancement of estimation precision comes from a precoupling induced modulation of the meter wave function, thus the most sensitive regime with respect to the parameter is reached. In addition, the estimation error is investigated by considering the difference between the theoretical and estimated value. The analysis suggests that this kind of error can be effectively suppressed by averaging the estimations resulted from different initial meter states. These results are finally illustrated by an exact numerical simulation where the advantages of our proposal are displayed by the comparison to the standard weak-value amplification scheme.

Automated summary

This paper improves the precision of estimating an unknown parameter by introducing a precoupling process with properly chosen interaction operators. By tracking the meter wave functions, it is found that the improvement in estimation precision comes from a precoupling induced modulation of the meter wave function, reaching the most sensitive regime with respect to the parameter. The estimation error is effectively suppressed by averaging the estimations resulted from different initial meter states. These results are demonstrated through a numerical simulation compared to the standard weak-value amplification scheme.