- Open Access
Entanglement-Assisted Multiparameter Estimation with a Solid-State Quantum Sensor
PRX Quantum 7, 020307 – Published 13 April, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/kqfr-bbfx
Abstract
Quantum multiparameter estimation promises to extend quantum advantage to the simultaneous high-precision measurements of multiple physical quantities. However, realizing this capability in practical quantum sensors under realistic conditions remains challenging due to intrinsic system imperfections. Here, we experimentally demonstrate multiparameter estimation using a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond, a widely adopted solid-state quantum sensor. Leveraging electronic-nuclear spin entanglement and optimized Bell-state measurement at room temperature, we simultaneously estimate the amplitude, detuning, and phase of a microwave drive from a single measurement sequence. Despite practical constraints, our results achieve linear sensitivity scaling for all parameters with respect to interrogation time. This work bridges the gap between foundational quantum estimation theory and real-world quantum sensing, opening pathways toward enhanced multiparameter quantum sensors suitable for diverse scientific and technological applications.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Popular Summary
Quantum sensors have demonstrated exceptional precision in measuring a single physical quantity. Still, many practical applications require simultaneously determining multiple quantities. Using a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond, we demonstrated that we can perform this task, multiparameter estimation, with a quantum advantage. Our approach exploits entanglement between the electronic spin sensor and a nuclear ancillary spin to concurrently estimate three parameters—the amplitude, frequency, and phase of a microwave field—from a single measurement sequence.
Our results rely on an optimized Bell-basis readout method and a sequential control protocol incorporating dynamical decoupling. This approach addresses challenges specific to solid-state quantum sensors, such as always-on hyperfine interactions and averaged readout, and makes the theoretical scheme more widely applicable. In addition, we introduced a technique to evaluate the sensor performance that can reconstruct the multiparameter sensitivity metrics (the Quantum Fisher Information) from experimental measurements. We thus demonstrated that our protocol achieves linear sensitivity scaling with interrogation time across all three parameters, confirming the theoretical advantages of multiparameter quantum sensing even under realistic noise conditions.
Our results realize the predicted benefits of quantum multiparameter estimation within a practical, widely used solid-state quantum sensor. Leveraging the NV center’s high spatial resolution and versatility, this technique opens pathways to diverse applications from probing condensed-matter phenomena to the concurrent sensing of magnetic and electric fields, temperature, and pressure.
Article Text
Supplemental Material
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