Advanced statistical methods for quantum experiments

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Matthias Kleinmann
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2014 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 253338819

Current experiments in quantum optics control larger and larger quantum systems and reach an extremely high precision. This progress triggers theoretical challenges concerning the evaluation of the obtained data and in particular the computation of error bars has turned out to be a subtle topic. This has two main reasons: First, the number of events that can be obtained in current experiments is very low---sometimes only 10 samples per free parameter can be measured. Second, a high level of precision can only be verified if either the measurement apparatus itself is precisely characterized or the lack of knowledge is incorporated in the total error budget. Both issues can be traced back to questions on an advanced and statistically sound evaluation of the data. In this project I will provide methods that allow to compute appropriate error bounds and confidence regions for low-sampled data from quantum experiments. For the evaluation of high-precision experiments, this project will bring methods that eventually reduce the total error budget. In turn the results will allow improved tests for quantum systems and the certified implantation of quantum information protocols.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Switzerland
• Host: Professor Dr. Renato Renner