Super-resolving refractive index measurements with even coherent-state sources and parity detection

doi:10.1088/1674-1056/ade8de

Abstract High-precision refractive index measurement has become a research hotspot in recent years. However, traditional refractive index measurement often adopts intensity detection, whose performance is restricted by the classical detection limit and is thus hard to improve further. In order to break through this limitation, we propose a quantum-enhanced refractive index sensing scheme utilizing even-coherent-state sources in combination with parity detection. In this paper, we analyze the detection performance of the proposed system. Due to the inevitable photon loss in practical applications, the effects of photon loss on resolution and sensitivity are also investigated. Numerical results show that the resolution of the proposed strategy breaks through the Rayleigh limit and achieves super-resolving refractive index measurement. Relative to existing coherent-state schemes, our strategy leads to a twofold resolution improvement. Furthermore, the physical origins of the super-resolution are analyzed.

Keywords: refractive index measurement even coherent state parity photon counting detection super-resolution

Received: 18 March 2025
Revised: 06 June 2025
Accepted manuscript online: 27 June 2025

PACS:	42.50.-p	(Quantum optics)
	42.50.St	(Nonclassical interferometry, subwavelength lithography)

Corresponding Authors: Xiaohao Yang
E-mail: yangxiaohao0508@163.com

Cite this article:

Qiang Wang(王强), Xiaohao Yang(杨晓豪), Fu Song(宋甫), and Lili Hao(郝利丽) Super-resolving refractive index measurements with even coherent-state sources and parity detection 2025 Chin. Phys. B 34 124202

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Super-resolving refractive index measurements with even coherent-state sources and parity detection

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