Entanglement is not a critical resource for quantum metrology

Abstract

We have investigated high-precision measurements, beyond the standard quantum limit, utilizing non-classical states. Although entanglement has been considered a resource for achieving the Heisenberg limit in measurements, we show that any advantage expected from using entanglement is dependent on the measurement in question. We investigate several measurement scenarios and illustrate the role of entanglement as a resource for quantum high-precision measurement. In particular, we demonstrate that there is a regime wherein entanglement not only does not help, but prevents the achievement of the fundamental limit.