(June 1, 2015) A new
protocol for estimating unknown optical processes, called unitary operations,
with precision enhanced by the unique properties of quantum mechanics has been
demonstrated by scientists and engineers from the University of Bristol, UK,
and the Centre for Quantum Technologies in Singapore.
The work, published in the June issue of Optica, could lead
to both dramatically better sensors for medical research and new approaches to
benchmark the performance of ultra-powerful quantum computers.