Super-Heisenberg-limited sensing via collective subradiance in waveguide quantum electrodynamics
Phys. Rev. Applied 26, 024008 – Published 5 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4crz-846z
Abstract
We explore the quantum-metrological potential of subwavelength-spaced emitter arrays coupled to a one-dimensional nanophotonic waveguide. In this system, strong dipole-dipole interactions profoundly modify the collective optical response, leading to the emergence of ultranarrow subradiant resonances. Through an eigenmode analysis of the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, we derive the decay rate of the most-subradiant state, which, within the present model and geometry, exhibits an scaling with even-odd oscillatory behavior in the deep-subwavelength regime. This scaling is directly observable in the single-photon scattering spectrum, enabling the detection of minute changes in atomic separation with a figure of merit that scales as . The quantum Fisher information scales as and can be closely approached by measuring spectral shifts near the steepest slope of the most-subradiant resonance. These enhancements remain robust under realistic positional disorder, confirming that dipole-dipole-engineered subradiance provides a viable resource for quantum metrology. Our work bridges collective waveguide-QED physics and high-precision sensing, opening a route toward scalable quantum sensors on integrated nanophotonic platforms.