Optimal frequency measurements with quantum probes

Precise frequency measurements are important in applications ranging from navigation and imaging to computation and communication. Here we outline the optimal quantum strategies for frequency discrimination and estimation in the context of quantum spectroscopy, and we compare the effectiveness of different readout strategies. Using a single NV center in diamond, we implement the optimal frequency discrimination protocol to discriminate two frequencies separated by 2 kHz with a single 44 μs measurement, a factor of ten below the Fourier limit. For frequency estimation, we achieve a frequency sensitivity of 1.6 µHz/Hz2 for a 1.7 µT amplitude signal, which is within a factor of 2 from the quantum limit. Our results are foundational for discrimination and estimation problems in nanoscale nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Minimizing attosecond CEP jitter by carrier envelope phase tuning

Minimizing the CEP jitter of isolated attosecond pulses (IAP) will be important for future applications. This jitter is experimentally and theoretically investigated and can be minimized when the driving pulse is near its Fourier limit but with slightly negative chirp. Thus, understanding and characterization of the CEP jitter of IAPs is a first step towards exact control of the electric field of IAP pulses.