Quantum limit for avian magnetoreception: How sensitive can a chemical compass be?

Jianming Cai, Filippo Caruso, Martin B. Plenio

Published 2011-08-22, updated 2011-10-31Version 2

The chemical compass model, based on radical pair reactions, is a fascinating idea to explain avian magnetoreception. At present, questions concerning the key ingredients responsible for the high sensitivity of a chemical compass and the possible role of quantum coherence and decoherence remain unsolved. Here, we investigate the optimized hyperfine coupling for a chemical compass in order to achieve the best magnetic field sensitivity. We show that its magnetic sensitivity limit can be further extended by simple quantum control and may benefit from additional decoherence. With this, we clearly demonstrate how quantum coherence can be exploited in the functioning of a chemical compass. The present results also provide new routes towards the design of a biomimetic weak magnetic field sensor.