PHASE ESTIMATION IN INTERFEROMETRY

An objective theory of phase shift estimation is formulated within qua ntum mechanics and quantum estimation theory. The general validity of Bayesian analysis even in the limit of very low particle numbers is de monstrated using the information of measured phase-sensitive data. The formalism was applied to the estimation of an unknown phase in neutro n interferometry operating near the quantum limit, when only a few par ticles are registered, and also in the regime of large particle number s.