Ultimate charge sensitivity and efficiency of a quantum point contact with a superposed input state

Abstract

We address the ultimate charge detection scheme with a quantum point contact. It is shown that a superposed input state is necessary to exploit the full sensitivity of a quantum point contact detector. The coherence of the input state provides an improvement in charge sensitivity, and this improvement is a result of the fundamental property of the scattering matrix. Further, a quantum-limited (maximally efficient) detection is possible by controlling the interference between the two output waves. Our scheme provides the ultimate sensitivity and efficiency of charge detection with a generic quantum point contact.