Metrological Advantages in Seeded and Lossy Nonlinear Interferometers

Abstract: The quantum Fisher information (QFI) bounds the sensitivity of a quantum measurement, heralding the conditions for quantum advantages when compared with classical strategies. Here, we calculate analytical expressions for the QFI of nonlinear interferometers under lossy conditions and with coherent-state seeding. We normalize the results based on the number of photons going through the sample that induces a phase shift on the incident quantum state, which eliminates some of the previously declared metrological advantages. We analyze the performance of nonlinear interferometers in a variety of geometries and robustness of the quantum advantage with respect to internal and external loss through direct comparison with a linear interferometer. We find the threshold on the internal loss at which the quantum advantage vanishes, specify when and how much coherent-state seeding optimally counters internal loss, and show that a sufficient amount of squeezing confers to the quantum advantages robustness against external loss and inefficient detection.