Optimal Quantum Estimation for Gravitation

Abstract

Here we describe the quantum limit to measurement of the classical gravitational field. Specifically, we write down the optimal quantum Cramer-Rao lower bound, for any single parameter describing a metric for spacetime. The standard time-energy and Heisenberg uncertainty relations are shown to be special cases of the uncertainty relation for the spacetime metric. Four key examples are given, describing quantum limited estimation for: acceleration, black holes, gravitational waves and cosmology. We employ the locally covariant formulation of quantum field theory in curved spacetime, which allows for a manifestly spacetime independent derivation. The result is an uncertainty relation applicable to all causal spacetime manifolds.