A single-point measurement scheme for quantum work based on the squeezing state

To investigate the role of initial quantum coherence in work-probability distribution, it is necessary to consider an incomplete or partial measurement, in which the energy cannot be fully discriminated by the detector. In this paper, we use a harmonic oscillator with a coherent or squeezing state to realize this incomplete or partial measurement, and propose a unified framework of quantum work statistics for a closed system with an arbitrary initial state. We find that work is proportional to the change of the real part of the coherent state parameter, i.e., quantum work can be estimated by the coherent state parameter. The resulting work-probability distribution includes the initial quantum coherence, and can be reduced to the result of the traditional two projective energy measurement scheme (TPM) by squeezing the state of the harmonic oscillator. Our measurement scheme reveals the fundamental connections between measurement error and coherent work. By introducing a 'coherent work-to-noise ratio’, we find the optimal measurement error, which is determined by the energy difference between the superposed energy levels. As an application, we consider a driven two-level system and investigate the effects of driving velocity on work statistics. We find that only when the driving velocity matches the transition frequency of the system can initial quantum coherence play an important role.