Analogy between optimal spin estimation and interferometry

Abstract

Scheme for optimal spin state estimation is considered in analogy with phase detection in interferometry. Recently reported coherent measurements yielding the average fidelity (N+1)/(N+2) for N particle system corresponds to the standard limit of phase resolution 1/\sqrt{N}. It provides the bound for incoherent measurements when each particle is detected separately and information is used optimally. For specific states, improvement up to the value 1/N is possible in quantum theory. The best results are obtained combining sequentially coherent measurements on fractional groups of particles.