Balancing the minimum error rate and minimum copy consumption in quantum state discrimination

Extracting more information and saving quantum resources are two main aims for quantum measurements.However,the optimization of strategies for these two objectives varies when discriminating between quantum states■and■through multiple measurements.In this study,we introduce a novel state discrimination model that reveals the intricate relationship between the average error rate and average copy consumption.By integrating these two crucial metrics and minimizing their weighted sum for any given weight value,our research underscores the infeasibility of simultaneously minimizing these metrics through local measurements with one-way communication.Our findings present a compelling trade-off curve,highlighting the advantages of achieving a balance between error rate and copy consumption in quantum discrimination tasks,offering valuable insights into the optimization of quantum resources while ensuring the accuracy of quantum state discrimination.

Multicopy quantum state discrimination

In this paper, we study the problem of multicopy quantum two-state discrimination. By exploring the quantum hypothesis testing, i.e., the probabilisfic quantum cloning, we derive the upper bounds of the minimal error discrimination （MED） and the optimal unambiguous discrimination （OUD）, which coincides with the Helstrom theorem and the JS limit. Furthermore, when prior probabilities are unknown, we derive the minimax MED and the minimax OUD. Based on the optimal NM probabilistic quantum cloning, we present the optimal strategies of collective measurements of the MED and the OUD. When the number of the copies is infinite, regardless of whether prior probabilities are known or not, the success probabilities of the MED and the OUD go to 100%, in accordance with the quantum measurement hypothesis that unknown quantum state can be determined if and only if infinite identical quantum state copies are given.

Optimal subsystem approach to multi-qubit quantum state discrimination and experimental investigation

Quantum computing is a significant computing capability which is superior to classical computing because of its superposition feature. Distinguishing several quantum states from quantum algorithm outputs is often a vital computational task. In most cases, the quantum states tend to be non-orthogonal due to superposition; quantum mechanics has proved that perfect outcomes could not be achieved by measurements, forcing repetitive measurement. Hence, it is important to determine the optimum measuring method which requires fewer repetitions and a lower error rate. However, extending current measurement approaches mainly aiming at quantum cryptography to multi-qubit situations for quantum computing confronts challenges, such as conducting global operations which has considerable costs in the experimental realm. Therefore, in this study, we have proposed an optimum subsystem method to avoid these difficulties. We have provided an analysis of the comparison between the reduced subsystem method and the global minimum error method for two-qubit problems; the conclusions have been verified experimentally. The results showed that the subsystem method could effectively discriminate non-orthogonal two-qubit states, such as separable states, entangled pure states, and mixed states; the cost of the experimental process had been significantly reduced, in most circumstances, with acceptable error rate. We believe the optimal subsystem method is the most valuable and promising approach for multi-qubit quantum computing applications.

Linear optical implementation of optimal unambiguous discrimination among quantum states

In this paper, we present a linear optical scheme for optimal unambiguous discrimination among nonorthogonal quantum states in terms of the multiple-rail and polarization representation of a single photon. In our scheme, discriminated quantum states are expressed by using the spatial degree of freedom of a single photon while the polarization degree of freedom of the single photon is used to act as an auxiliary qubit. The optical components used in our scheme are only passive linear optical elements such as polarizing beam splitters, wave plates, polarizers, single photon detectors, and single photon source.

Geometric discord of tripartite quantum systems

We study the quantification of geometric discord for tripartite quantum systems.Firstly,we obtain the analytic formula of geometric discord for tripartite pure states.It is already known that the geometric discord of pure states reduces to the geometric entanglement in bipartite systems,the results presented here show that this property is no longer true in tripartite systems.Furthermore,we provide an operational meaning for tripartite geometric discord by linking it to quantum state discrimination,that is,we prove that the geometric discord of tripartite states is equal to the minimum error probability to discriminate a set of quantum states with von Neumann measurement.Lastly,we calculate the geometric discord of three-qubit Bell diagonal states and then investigate the dynamic behavior of tripartite geometric discord under local decoherence.It is interesting that the frozen phenomenon exists for geometric discord in this scenario.

Maximum confidence measurements via probabilistic quantum cloning

Probabilistic quantum cloning（PQC） cannot copy a set of linearly dependent quantum states.In this paper,we show that if incorrect copies are allowed to be produced,linearly dependent quantum states may also be cloned by the PQC.By exploiting this kind of PQC to clone a special set of three linearly dependent quantum states,we derive the upper bound of the maximum confidence measure of a set.An explicit transformation of the maximum confidence measure is presented.

Optical scheme for realization of optimal unambiguous state discrimination of the JS limit

We exploit optimal probabilistic cloning to rederive the JS limit.Dependent on the formulation given by the optimal probabilistic cloning,the explicit transformation of a measure of the JS limit is presented.Based on linear optical devices,we propose an experimentally feasible scheme to implement the JS limit measure of a general pair of two nonorthogonal quantum states.The success probability of the proposed scheme is unity.

Minimax Strategy of Optimal Unambiguous State Discrimination

In this paper, we consider the minimax strategy to unambiguously discriminate two pure nonorthogonal quantum states without knowing a priori probability. By exploiting the positive-operator valued measure, we derive the upper bound of the minimax measurement of the optimal unambiguous state discrimination. Based on the linear optical devices, we propose an experimentally feasible scheme to implement a minimax measure of a general pair of two nonorthogonal quantum states.