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Quantum noise in a squeezed-light-enhanced multiparameter quantum sensor

Aleksandra Sierant1,*, Diana Méndez-Avalos1, Santiago Tabares Giraldo1, and Morgan W. Mitchell1,2

  • *Contact author: aleksandra.sierant@icfo.eu
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Phys. Rev. Applied 26, 044050 – Published 19 October, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/dx8b-82nj

Abstract

We study quantum enhancement of sensitivity using squeezed light in a multiparameter quantum sensor, the hybrid dc and rf optically pumped magnetometer (hOPM) [M. Lipka et al., Multiparameter quantum sensing and magnetic communication with a hybrid dc and rf optically pumped magnetometer, Phys. Rev. Appl. 21, 034054 (2024)]. Using a single spin ensemble, the hOPM acquires both the dc field strength (scalar magnetometry) and resonantly detects one quadrature of the ac magnetic field at a chosen frequency (rf magnetometry). In contrast to the Bell-Bloom scalar magnetometer [C. Troullinou et al., Squeezed-light enhancement and backaction evasion in a high sensitivity optically pumped magnetometer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 193601 (2021)], the backaction evasion in the hOPM is incomplete, leading to a nontrivial interplay of the three quantum noise sources in this system: photon shot noise, spin projection noise, and measurement backaction noise. We observe these interactions using squeezed light as a tool to control the distribution of optical quantum noise between S2 and S3 polarization Stokes components, and the resulting effect on readout quantum noise and measurement backaction. These results demonstrate quantum-enhanced sensitivity in a continuously operating multiparameter sensor and reveal fundamental trade-offs between sensitivity, backaction, and bandwidth.

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Phys. Rev. Applied 26, 044050– Published 19 October, 2026
  • Received 12 June 2025
  • Revised 8 June 2026
  • Accepted 17 June 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.

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