Critical quantum metrology robust against dissipation and nonadiabaticity

Critical systems near quantum phase transitions were predicted to be useful for improvement of metrological precision, thanks to their ultrasensitive response to tiny variations of the control Hamiltonian. However, realizing criticality enhanced quantum metrology is experimentally challenging, mainly owing to decoherence and critical slowing down associated with the corresponding quantum state preparation. We circumvent these problems by making use of the critical behaviors in the Jaynes-Cummings model, to which the signal field is coupled. The information is encoded in the qubit’s excitation number, which displays a divergent changing rate at the critical point, and is extremely robust against decoherence and nonadiabatic effects. We demonstrate such a metrological protocol in a superconducting circuit, where an Xmon qubit, interacting with a resonator, is used as a probe for estimating the amplitude of a microwave field. The measured quantum Fisher information exhibits a critical quantum enhancement, confirming the potential for quantum metrology.