Theory 61/Quantum Sensing
Sensitivity Is a Coherence Ratio
The claim
Quantum sensor sensitivity is set by the ratio of coherence time to averaging time rather than by coherence time alone, so a short-coherence sensor can win if it can be averaged faster.
01The mechanism
Sensitivity improves with both coherence and repetition; the ratio sets how many independent measurements fit in the available time.
02Predictions
- P1Sensitivity should track the ratio.
- P2Coherence alone should mispredict across duty cycles.
03Refutation
Sensitivity tracking coherence would remove the averaging term.