Phase space formalism for quantum estimation of Gaussian states

Abstract: We formulate, with full generality, the asymptotic estimation theory for Gaussian states in terms of their first and second moments. By expressing the quantum Fisher information (QFI) and the elusive symmetric logarithmic derivative (SLD) in terms of the state's moments (and their derivatives) we are able to obtain the noncommutative extension of the well known expression for the Fisher information of a Gaussian probability distribution. Focusing on models with fixed first moments and identical Williamson 'diagonal' states --which include pure state models--, we obtain their SLD and QFI, and elucidate what features of the Wigner function are fundamentally accessible, and at what rates. In addition, we find the optimal homodyne detection scheme for all such models, and show that for pure state models they attain the fundamental limit.