Scaling Enhancement in Distributed Quantum Sensing via Causal Order Switching

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2601.14708v1
• Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:54:08 GMT
• Title: Scaling Enhancement in Distributed Quantum Sensing via Causal Order Switching
• Authors: Binke Xia, Zhaotong Cui, Jingzheng Huang, Yuxiang Yang, Guihua Zeng,
• Abstract summary: We propose a protocol that incorporates a causal-order switch into a cyclic network, enabling a single probe to sequentially query N independent sensors.<n>We experimentally implement this scheme for distributed beam tilts sensing in a free-space quantum optical network comprising up to 9 sensors.
• Score: 9.415848346130408
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Sensing networks underpin applications from fundamental physics to real-world engineering. Recently, distributed quantum sensing (DQS) has been investigated to boost the sensing performance, yet current schemes typically rely on entangled probes that are fragile to noise and difficult to scale. Here, we propose a DQS protocol that incorporates a causal-order switch into a cyclic network, enabling a single probe to sequentially query N independent sensors in a coherent superposition or a probabilistic mixture of opposite causal orders. By exploiting the noncommutativity between propagation and sensing processes, our scheme achieves a 1/N^2-scaling precision limit without involving entangled probes. Importantly, our approach utilizes a classical mixture of causal orders rather than a quantum switch, making it more feasible for practical realization. We experimentally implement this scheme for distributed beam tilts sensing in a free-space quantum optical network comprising up to 9 sensors, achieving picoradian-scale precision in estimating tilt angle. Our results demonstrate a robust and scalable DQS protocol that surpasses the conventional 1/N Heisenberg scaling in precision, advancing the practical deployment of quantum sensing networks.

Related papers

• Scalable Network of Mach-Zehnder Interferometers with a Single Entangled Resource [14.54313761528302]
  We demonstrate a reconfigurable network of Mach-Zehnder interferometers entangled via a single squeezed-vacuum resource.<n>We achieve joint noise suppression of $4.36 pm 0.35$ dB below the standard quantum limit at the phase-uncertainty level of $10-9$.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-09-10T02:08:29Z)
• Adaptive Bayesian Single-Shot Quantum Sensing [35.355128149649666]
  In variational quantum sensing, a probe quantum system is generated via a parameterized quantum circuit.<n>This paper introduces an adaptive protocol that uses Bayesian inference to optimize the active information gain.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-22T11:35:27Z)
• Quantum sensing of displacements with stabilized GKP states [41.94295877935867]
  We show how protocols for the stabilization of Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states can be used for the estimation of two-quadrature displacement sensing.<n>Thanks to the stabilization, this sensor is backaction evading and can function continuously without reset, making it well suited for the detection of itinerant signals.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-06-25T17:18:50Z)
• Optimized quantum sensor networks for ultralight dark matter detection [0.0]
  Dark matter (DM) remains one of the most compelling unresolved problems in fundamental physics.<n>We propose a network-based quantum sensor architecture to enhance sensitivity to ultralight DM fields.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-05-27T13:38:59Z)
• Quantum-enhanced sensing of spin-orbit coupling without fine-tuning [0.0]
  Heisenberg limited enhanced precision is achieved across a wide range of parameters. We have demonstrated quantum enhanced sensitivity for both single particle and interacting many-body probes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-11-01T14:00:23Z)
• Quantum Advantage in Distributed Sensing with Noisy Quantum Networks [37.23288214515363]
  It is critically important to analyze the achievability of quantum advantage under realistic imperfections.<n>We show that quantum advantage in distributed sensing can be achieved with noisy quantum networks which can only distribute noisy entangled states.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-09-25T16:55:07Z)
• Quantum-enhanced learning with a controllable bosonic variational sensor network [0.40964539027092906]
  Supervised learning assisted by an entangled sensor network (SLAEN) We propose a SLAEN capable of handling nonlinear data classification tasks. We uncover a threshold phenomenon in classification error -- when the energy of probes exceeds a certain threshold, the error drastically to zero.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-04-28T19:41:40Z)
• Quantum enhanced distributed phase sensing with a truncated SU(1,1) interferometer [0.44475839286738167]
  A network of entangled sensors can improve sensitivity beyond the shot noise limit, and enable a Heisenberg scaling with the number of sensors. We experimentally demonstrate a quantum noise reduction of 1.7 dB and a classical 3 dB signal-to-noise ratio improvement over the separable sensing approach. Our results pave the way for developing quantum enhanced sensor networks that can achieve an entanglement-enhanced sensitivity.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-03-25T19:00:21Z)
• Optical Quantum Sensing for Agnostic Environments via Deep Learning [59.088205627308]
  We introduce an innovative Deep Learning-based Quantum Sensing scheme. It enables optical quantum sensors to attain Heisenberg limit (HL) in agnostic environments. Our findings offer a new lens through which to accelerate optical quantum sensing tasks.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-11-13T09:46:05Z)
• Design and simulation of a transmon qubit chip for Axion detection [103.69390312201169]
  Device based on superconducting qubits has been successfully applied in detecting few-GHz single photons via Quantum Non-Demolition measurement (QND) In this study, we present Qub-IT's status towards the realization of its first superconducting qubit device.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-10-08T17:11:42Z)
• Harnessing high-dimensional temporal entanglement using limited interferometric setups [41.94295877935867]
  We develop the first complete analysis of high-dimensional entanglement in the polarization-time-domain. We show how to efficiently certify relevant density matrix elements and security parameters for Quantum Key Distribution. We propose a novel setup that can further enhance the noise resistance of free-space quantum communication.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-08-08T17:44:43Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.