Quantum remote sensing with asymmetric information gain

Abstract

Typically, the aim of quantum metrology is to sense target fields with high precision utilizing quantum properties. Unlike the typical aim, in this paper, we use quantum properties for adding a new functionality to quantum sensors. More concretely, we propose a delegated quantum sensor (a client-server model) with security inbuilt. Suppose that a client wants to measure some target fields with high precision, but he/she does not have any high-precision sensor. This leads the client to delegate the sensing to a remote server who possesses a high-precision sensor. The client gives the server instructions about how to control the sensor. The server lets the sensor interact with the target fields in accordance with the instructions, and then sends the sensing measurement results to the client. In this case, since the server knows the control process and readout results of the sensor, the information of the target fields is available not only for the client but also for the server. We show that, by using an entanglement between the client and the server, an asymmetric information gain is possible so that only the client can obtain the sufficient information of the target fields. In our scheme, the server generates the entanglement between a solid state system (that can interact with the target fields) and a photon, and sends the photon to the client. On the other hand, the client is required to possess linear optics elements only including wave plates, polarizing beam splitters, and single-photon detectors. Our scheme is feasible with the current technology, and our results pave the way for a novel application of quantum metrology.