Characterizing non-deterministic noiseless linear amplifiers at the quantum limit

We address the characterisation of non-deterministic noiseless linear amplifiers (NLAs) and compare the performances of different estimation strategies. In particular, we focus on estimation of the gain, whose value may result from a combination of different experimental effects, as those governing the overall efficiency of the detector or the transmissivity of the involved optical components. At first, we show that, contrary to naive expectations, post-selecting only the amplified states does not offer the most accurate estimate. We then focus on minimal implementations of a NLA, i.e. those obtained by coupling the input state to a two-level system, and show that the maximal amount of information about the gain of the NLA is obtained by measuring the whole composite system. The quantum Fisher information (QFI) of this best-case scenario is analysed in some detail, and compared to the QFI of the post-selected states, both for successful and unsuccessful amplification. Eventually, we show that full extraction of the available information is achieved when the non-deterministic process is implemented by a L;ders instrument. We also analyse the precision attainable by probing NLAs by single-mode pure states and measuring the field or the number of quanta, and discuss in some detail the specific cases of squeezed vacuum and coherent states.