Metrological complementarity reveals the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox

The Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) paradox plays a fundamental role in our understanding of quantum mechanics, and is associated with the possibility of predicting the results of non-commuting measurements with a precision that seems to violate the uncertainty principle. This apparent contradiction to complementarity is made possible by nonclassical correlations stronger than entanglement, called steering. Quantum information recognises steering as an essential resource for a number of tasks but, contrary to entanglement, its role for metrology has so far remained unclear. Here, we formulate the EPR paradox in the framework of quantum metrology, showing that it enables the precise estimation of a local phase shift and of its generating observable. Employing a stricter formulation of quantum complementarity, we derive a criterion based on the quantum Fisher information that detects steering in a larger class of states than well-known uncertainty-based criteria. Our result identifies useful steering for quantum-enhanced precision measurements and allows one to uncover steering of non-Gaussian states in state-of-the-art experiments. Steering reflects the ability to predict measurement results on one side of a quantum-correlated system based on measurements on the other side, which can be phrased as a metrology problem. Here, the authors explore this connection, deriving a general steering criterion based on quantum Fisher information.

Automated summary

The EPR paradox is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that can be applied to enhance precision measurements through the concept of steering, which involves predicting measurement results on one side of a quantum-correlated system based on measurements on the other side. The authors propose a new general criterion for detecting steering based on quantum Fisher information, expanding the understanding of steering in state-of-the-art experiments.