Parity-detection-based Mach-Zehnder interferometry with coherent and non-Gaussian squeezed vacuum states as inputs

Abstract

We theoretically explore the advantages rendered by non-Gaussian operations in phase estimation using a parity-detection-based Mach-Zehnder interferometer, with one input being a coherent state and the other being a non-Gaussian squeezed vacuum state (SVS). We consider a realistic model to perform three different non-Gaussian operations, namely photon subtraction, photon addition, and photon catalysis on a single-mode SVS. We start by deriving the Wigner function of the non-Gaussian SVSs, which is then utilized to derive the expression for the phase sensitivity. The analysis of the phase sensitivity reveals that all three different non-Gaussian operations can enhance the phase sensitivity under suitable choices of parameters. We also consider the probabilistic nature of these non-Gaussian operations, the results of which reveal the single photon addition to be the optimal operation. Further, our analysis also enables us to identify the optimal squeezing of the SVS and the transmissivity of the beam splitter involved in the implementation of the non-Gaussian operations.