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Abstracts
Presentations
Gerardo Adesso (University of Nottingham, UK)
The interferometric power of quantum states
Quantum metrology exploits quantum mechanical laws to improve the precision in estimating technologically relevant
parameters such as phase, frequency, or magnetic fields. Probe states are usually tailored on the particular dynamics
whose parameters are being estimated. Here we consider a novel framework where quantum estimation is performed
in an interferometric configuration, using bipartite probe states prepared without full knowledge of the generating
Hamiltonian. We introduce a figure of merit for the scheme, given by the worst case precision over a suitable class of
Hamiltonians, and prove that it amounts exactly to a measure of quantum discord for the input probe. We
demonstrate the superiority of discordant probes over classically correlated ones in a highly controllable metrology
experiment with room temperature nuclear magnetic resonance, one of the paradigmatic test beds for quantum
information processing. We thus provide a rigorous operational interpretation for discord, shedding light on its
potential for quantum technology.

Mehdi Admadi (University of Nottingham, UK)
Quantum metrology for relativistic quantum fields
In quantum metrology quantum properties such as squeezing and entanglement are exploited in the design of a new
generation of clocks, sensors and other measurement devices that can outperform their classical counterparts.
Applications of great technological relevance lie in the precise measurement of parameters which play a central role in
relativity, such as proper accelerations, relative distances, time and gravitational field strengths. In this talk we
present the techniques to estimate physical quantities within quantum field theory in flat and curved space-time. We
consider a bosonic quantum field that undergoes a generic transformation, which encodes the parameter to be
estimated. We present analytical formulas for optimal precision bounds on the estimation of small parameters in
terms of Bogoliubov coefficients for single mode and two-mode Gaussian channels

Daniel Braun (Universitt Tbingen, Germany)
Quantum Enhanced Measurements - beyond entanglement assisted schemes
One of the most exciting spin-offs of quantum information science is the perspective of using quantum mechanical
effects for enhancing the sensitivity with which certain classical parameters can be measured. Examples include
gravitational wave detection, measurement of small magnetic fields, improved time and distance measurements, up
to more sensitive measurements of temperature. It is has become common folklore in the field that for these tasks
highly entangled states are necessary, which, however, are in general very prone to decoherence. In this talk I will
explore different avenues out of the dilemma, including the use of identical particles, phase transitions, and
interaction based schemes, all the way to a recently introduced "coherent averaging scheme" that even has a classical
analogue and might prove useful for making progress towards a more precise knowledge of the gravitational constant.

Animesh Datta (University of Oxford, UK)
Multiparameter sensing at the quantum limit
Quantum correlated probes have the potential of delivering enhanced precision in estimating individual parameters.
Obtaining quantum enhancements in scenarios of wider appeal such as imaging require an understanding of the
quantum limits of estimating several parameters across multiple modes simultaneously. The problem is made
theoretically and well as practically interesting and non-trivial by the possible non-commutativity of the optimal
measurements needed to attain the quantum limits for estimating individual parameters. We present developments on
the quantum theory of estimating multiple parameters - arising from both unitary dynamics as well as decoherence -
simultaneously in a few scenarios, and its ramifications.

Rafa Demkowicz-Dobrzaski (Uniwersytet Warszawski, Poland)
Quantum limits in optical interferometry
In optical interferometry, the presence of decoherence imposes severe constraints on maximal quantum enhancement
that can be achieved with non-classical states of light and the most general measurement-estimation strategies.
Various techniques for deriving the fundamental limits will be discussed both using the Bayesian and the Fisher
information approach. The methods presented will be applied to the most relevant decoherence models in optical
interferometry including loss, non-perfect interferometric visibility and phase-diffusion. Consequences for the design
of modern gravitational wave detector designs will be discussed.



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Andrzej Dragan (Uniwersytet Warszawski, Poland)
Discriminating quantum field theories in curved spacetime
We initiate a program of using quantum channel discrimination to test physical theories. In particular, we focus on
quantum field theories in curved spacetimes. We use the example of the Unruh effect to illustrate the principle of this
approach, discriminating it against an existing alternative theory that does not predict thermal particles. We find that
the usual strategy of counting particles in the vacuum can be improved on, thereby enhancing the discrimination.
Coherent state probes, which are practical and feasible, give exponential improvement in the discrimination of the
Unruh channel and come very close to optimal. These results are expected to be relevant to upcoming experimental
tests of quantum field theory in curved spacetimes in analogue systems

Ivette Fuentes (University of Nottingham, UK)
Applications of Relativistic Quantum Metrology to Geodesy and Gravitational Wave Astronomy
In this talk we present some applications of relativistic quantum metrology. In particular, we introduce a scheme to
estimate the space-time parameters of the Earth using propagating wave-packets and a new gravitational wave
detector. Both applications are developed using a relativistic quantum field theoretical approach.

Mdlin Gu (University of Nottingham, UK)
System identification and metrology for quantum Markov chains
We consider the problems of identifying and estimating dynamical parameters of an ergodic quantum Markov chain,
when only the stationary output is accessible for measurements. On the identifiability question, we show that the
knowledge of the output state completely fixes the dynamics up to a coordinate transformation consisting of a
multiplication by a phase and a unitary conjugation of the Kraus operators.

When the dynamics depends on an unknown parameter, we show that the latter can be estimated at the standard
rate
/
, and give an explicit expression of the (asymptotic) quantum Fisher information of the output, which is
proportional to the Markov variance of a certain generator. More generally, we show that the output is locally
asymptotically normal, i.e. it can be approximated by a simple quantum Gaussian model consisting of a coherent state
whose mean is related to the unknown parameter. As a consistency check we prove that a parameter related to the
coordinate transformation unitaries, has zero quantum Fisher information.

Time permitting, I will discuss an application of these ideas to quantum metrology with Markov generated states and
monitored environment.

Susana Huelga (Universitt Ulm, Germany)
Quantum Metrology in Noisy Environments
The best precision achievable in a phase estimation problem is bounded by the so called Heisenberg limit. In principle,
this limit can be reached by using maximally entangled states and would lead to an improvement over the precision
achievable with product states (standard quantum limit) equal to 1/, where n is the number of subsystems. We will
discuss how this result is affected by the presence of noise and analyze optimal bounds for precision spectroscopy in
noisy environments. We demonstrate that the metrological equivalence of product and maximally entangled states
that holds under Markovian decoherence fails in the non-Markovian case. Using an exactly solvable model of a
physically realistic finite band-width dephasing environment, we show that the ensuing non-Markovian dynamics
enables quantum correlated states to outperform metrological strategies based on uncorrelated states but otherwise
identical resources. We show that this conclusion is a direct result of the coherent dynamics of the global state of the
system and environment that goes beyond specific models and, as a result, provides a novel metrological bound that
we brand "Zeno bound". These results emphasize the usefulness of quantum correlated states for metrology in a
range of realistic experimental conditions.

Mark Kasevich (Stanford University, USA)
Precision Quantum Metrology Using Atom Interferometry

Recent advances in atom optics and atom interferometry have enabled observation of atomic de Broglie wave
interference when atomic wavepackets are separated by distances approaching 10 cm and times of nearly 3 seconds.
With further refinements, these methods may lead to meter-scale superpositions over 10's of seconds. In addition to
providing new tests of quantum mechanics, these methods allow inertial force measurements of unprecedented
sensitivity. We will describe methods demonstrated and results obtained in a 10 m atomic fountain configuration, and
their implications to fundamental studies in gravitational physics.



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Jorma Louko (University of Nottingham, UK)
Particle detectors near and beyond black hole horizons
We analyse stationary and nonstationary particle detectors of the Unruh-DeWitt type in 3+1 and 1+1 black hole
spacetimes, including a detector falling from infinity through the horizon. We focus on the sense in which the detector
sees thermality gained, maintained, and lost. (Based on work with Lee Hodgkinson, Adrian Ottewill and Benito
Juarez).

Katarzyna Macieszczak (University of Nottingham, UK)
Bayesian quantum parameter estimation
A Bayesian approach to quantum parameter estimation is discussed. This approach uses prior knowledge about the
parameter or noise, the latter being due to interaction of a given system with an environment, in order to increase the
average precision of the estimation. Two applications are presented: i) the optimal quantum frequency estimation
with prior knowledge regarding the estimated frequency and ii) the derivation of bounds on Fisher information in the
presence of general dephasing.

Sabrina Maniscalco (Heriot-Watt University)
Quantum probes versus direct quantum measurements: what do we gain?
One of the most profound principles of quantum physics states the general impossibility to directly measure a
quantum system without perturbing its quantum state. This impossibility creates a tacitly overlooked difficulty when
describing the use of quantum technologies such as quantum simulators. Such devices would need to operate in a
highly quantum regime, thier state being, e.g., highly entangled during their operational time.
Inquiring the result of the simulation at a certain time, however, generally destroys the very property allowing the
quantum simulator to work. Moreover, as quantum simulators are by definition supposed to perform tasks that cannot
be performed by any classical machine, how can we be sure that they are effectively "doing their job"? These two
questions, known as the read out problem and the verification problem, are the crucial issues that need to be
addressed in order to pave the way to commercial quantum machines.

Within this context we will discuss a new quantum measurement paradigm based on quantum information probes. We
will highlight the possible advantages of using immersed quantum probes to indirectly detect properties of a complex
quantum system, or a quantum simulator of a complex system, with respect to either classical probes or direct
quantum measurements.

The possibility of extracting global or local properties of a many-body quantum simulator by measuring an immersed
quantum probe stems from the fact that the probe decoherence, induced by the interaction with the many-body
system acting as an environment, crucially depends on properties of the latter one. The quantum probe decoherent
dynamics can be quantified in terms of the information flowing from the probe to the complex system and back [1-4].
One can therefore envisage a scenario in which the full control of the quantum probe, under certain conditions, allows
one to extract information about the quantum simulator with minimal disturbance on its state.

[1] P. Haikka, S. McEndoo, G. De Chiara, G. M. Palma, and S. Maniscalco Phys. Rev. A 84, 031602 (2011).
[2] P. Haikka, J. Goold, S. McEndoo, F. Plastina, and S. Maniscalco Phys. Rev. A 85, 060101 (2012).
[3] P. Haikka, S. McEndoo, and S. Maniscalco, Phys. Rev. A 87, 012127 (2013).
[4] M. Borrelli, P. Haikka, G. De Chiara, and S. Maniscalco Phys. Rev. A 88, 010101 (2013).

Ian Moss (University of Newcastle, UK)
Back reaction and the dynamical Casimir effect
This talk describes a unified picture of classical and quantum back-reaction effects, from the Lorentz-Abrahams force
on electrons through to moving mirrors and beyond. The techniques developed for that problem might be adaptable to
applications in quantum metrology.

Stefano Pirandola (University of York, UK)
Black hole information paradox: An axiomatic approach based on quantum information
Classically, black holes are compact objects with perfect semi-permeable horizons: Anything may enter, nothing may
leave. We consider an axiomatic approach that applies to any black hole type, including arbitrarily near-extremal black
holes, that can unitarily evaporate away completely by any mechanism. We show that a quantum black hole must
either have a leaky horizon (allowing quantum information out), or it must look very different from its classical
counterpart having an external neighbourhood consisting of exotic matter with super-ordinary entropic content (such
as an `atmosphere' of microscopic black holes).



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Roger Penrose (University of Oxford, UK)
Clocks in GR, QM, and CCC
The metric structure of general relativity is best understood in terms of time measurements by ideal clocks, in
accordance with the ides of Synge and Milne. Very accurate clocks are now known, these depending either on
Plancks/Einsteins =

or on the massive gravitational dynamics of binary neutron stars, in either case, mass
being essential. According to conformal cyclic cosmology (CCC), in the extremely remote future rest-mass and
gravitational effects fade out, leaving us with a timeless conformal geometry in place of Einsteins metric geometry.
But the cosmological constant keeps track of a kind of time-scale, preserving structure until the re-emergence of
mass by a Higgs mechanism in the next aeon.

Carlos Sabn (University of Nottingham, UK)
Relativistic quantum clocks
Time dilation, a striking prediction of Einstein's relativity, plays an important role in applications such as the Global
Positioning System. One of the most compelling consequences of time dilation is known as the twin paradox, where a
twin at rest ages more than her sibling travelling at relativistic speeds.

In this talk, we discuss an implementation of the twin paradox in superconducting circuits with velocities as large as a
few percent of the speed of light. Ultrafast modulation of the boundary conditions for the electromagnetic field in a
microwave cavity simulates a clock moving at relativistic speeds. While previous demonstrations of this effect involve
point-like clocks, our superconducting cavity has a finite length, allowing us to investigate the role of clock size as well
as interesting quantum effects on time dilation. In particular, our theoretical results show that the travelling twin ages
slower for larger cavity lengths and that quantum particle creation, known in this context as the dynamical Casimir
effect, increases time dilation.

Finally, we will discuss how the accuracy of a clock is affected by the Dynamical Casimir Effect and other phenomena
generated by relativistic motion.

Roman Schnabel (Leibniz Universitt Hannover, Germany)
Proposal for the generation of nonclassical systems of massive objects
The theory of quantum mechanics is an extremely successful theory but does not as yet include gravity. A possible
step towards a unified theory of quantum gravity might be the addition of the (nonrelativistic) Newtonian theory to
quantum mechanics, and check whether such a modified theory predicts nontrivial effects that can be tested in an
experiment. Several proposals were made in the past. Recently, it was shown that the Schrdinger-Newton equation
predicts a quantum state evolution different from that described by the standard Schrdinger equation. An
experimental test might be feasible by using a massive mirror that is suspended as a high-Q pendulum [1]. This talk
proposes the experimental realisation of such a system on the basis of kilogram-scale fibre-suspended mirrors. The
mechanical states envisioned include squeezed states as well as Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen entangled states of centre-
of-mass motions.

[1] H. Yang, H. Miao, Da-shin Lee, B. Helou, and Y Chen, Macroscopic Quantum Mechanics in a Classical Spacetime,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 170401 (2013).

Augusto Smerzi (LENS, Universit degli Studi di Firenze, Italy)
Entanglement and Distinguishability in Quantum Interferometry
Entanglement is deeply connected to the concept of distinguishability of quantum states. Two systems can be more
easily recognized to be different if they are quantum rather than classically correlated. This has important implications
in interferometric precision measurements, quantum phase transitions and in foundational problems as the quantum
Zeno paradox.