Optimal quantum estimation of the Unruh-Hawking effect
arXiv:1007.0389 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.151301
Abstract
We address on general quantum-statistical grounds the problem of optimal detection of the Unruh-Hawking effect. We show that the effect signatures are magnified up to potentially observable levels if the scalar field to be probed has high mean energy from an inertial perspective: The Unruh-Hawking effect acts like an amplification channel. We prove that a field in a Fock inertial state, probed via photon counting by a non-inertial detector, realizes the optimal strategy attaining the ultimate sensitivity allowed by quantum mechanics for the observation of the effect. We define the parameter regime in which the effect can be reliably revealed in laboratory experiments, regardless of the specific implementation.
4 pages, 2 figures. Close to published version. (I.F. previously published as Fuentes-Guridi and Fuentes-Schuller)
References in corpus (16)
- The Unruh effect and its applications
- Resolving photon number states in a superconducting circuit
- Fiber-optical analogue of the event horizon
- Entanglement in continuous variable systems: Recent advances and current perspectives
- Reconstruction of non-classical cavity field states with snapshots of their decoherence
- Progressive field-state collapse and quantum non-demolition photon counting
- Generating Single Microwave Photons in a Circuit
- Numerical observation of Hawking radiation from acoustic black holes in atomic Bose-Einstein condensates
- Optimal quantum estimation of loss in bosonic channels
- Optimal estimation of losses at the ultimate quantum limit with non-Gaussian states
- The quantum Chernoff bound as a measure of distinguishability between density matrices: application to qubit and Gaussian states
- Analogue Hawking Radiation in a dc-SQUID Array Transmission Line
- Quantifying decoherence in continuous variable systems
- Signatures of the Unruh effect from electrons accelerated by ultra-strong laser fields
- Detection of acceleration radiation in a Bose-Einstein condensate
- Private information via the Unruh effect