Online Maximum Likelihood Parameter Estimation for Continuously-Monitored Quantum Systems

In this work, we consider the problem of online (real-time, single-shot) estimation of static or slow-varying parameters along quantum trajectories in quantum dynamical systems. Based on the measurement signal of a continuously-monitored quantum system, we propose a recursive algorithm for computing the maximum likelihood estimate of unknown parameters using an approach based on stochastic gradient ascent on the log-likelihood function. We formulate the algorithm in both discrete-time and continuous-time and illustrate the performance of the algorithm through simulations of a simple two-level system undergoing homodyne measurement from which we are able to track multiple parameters simultaneously.