For any pair of quantum states (the hypotheses), the task of binary quantum hypotheses testing is to derive the tradeoff relation between the probability p01 of rejecting the null hypothesis and p10 of accepting the alternative hypothesis. The case when both hypotheses are explicitly given was solved in the pioneering work by Helstrom. Here, instead, for any given null hypothesis as a pure state, we consider the worst-case alternative hypothesis that maximizes p10 under a constraint on the distinguishability of such hypotheses. Additionally, we restrict the optimization to separable measurements, in order to describe tests that are performed locally. The case p01=0 has been recently studied under the name of ``quantum state verification''. We show that the problem can be cast as a semi-definite program (SDP). Then we study in detail the two-qubit case. A comprehensive study in parameter space is done by solving the SDP numerically. We also obtain analytical solutions in the case of commuting hypotheses, and in the case where the two hypotheses can be orthogonal (in the latter case, we prove that the restriction to separable measurements generically prevents perfect distinguishability). In regards to quantum state verification, our work shows the existence of more efficient strategies for noisy measurement scenarios.
Given two families of quantum states
A and
B, called the null and the alternative hypotheses, quantum hypothesis testing is the task of determining whether an unknown quantum state belongs to
A or
B. Mistaking
A for
B is a type I error, and vice versa for the type II error. In quantum Shannon theory, a fundamental role is played by the Stein exponent, i.e. the asymptotic rate of decay of the type II error probability for a given threshold on the type I error probability. Stein exponents have been thoroughly investigated -- and, sometimes, calculated. However, most currently available solutions apply to settings where the hypotheses simple (i.e. composed of a single state), or else the families
A and
B need to satisfy stringent constraints that exclude physically important sets of states, such as separable states or stabiliser states. In this work, we establish a general formula for the Stein exponent where both hypotheses are allowed to be composite: the alternative hypothesis
B is assumed to be either composite i.i.d. or arbitrarily varying, with components taken from a known base set, while the null hypothesis
A is fully general, and required to satisfy only weak compatibility assumptions that are met in most physically relevant cases -- for instance, by the sets of separable or stabiliser states. Our result extends and subsumes the findings of [BBH, CMP 385:55, 2021] (that we also simplify), as well as the 'generalised quantum Sanov theorem' of [LBR, arXiv:2408.07067]. The proof relies on a careful quantum-to-classical reduction via measurements, followed by an application of the results on classical Stein exponents obtained in [Lami, arXiv:today]. We also devise new purely quantum techniques to analyse the resulting asymptotic expressions.
One of the key tasks in physics is to perform measurements in order to determine the state of a system. Often, measurements are aimed at determining the values of physical parameters, but one can also ask simpler questions, such as ``is the system in state A or state B?''. In quantum mechanics, the latter type of measurements can be studied and optimized using the framework of quantum hypothesis testing. In many cases one can explicitly find the optimal measurement in the limit where one has simultaneous access to a large number n of identical copies of the system, and estimate the expected error as n becomes large. Interestingly, error estimates turn out to involve various quantum information theoretic quantities such as relative entropy, thereby giving these quantities operational meaning. In this paper we consider the application of quantum hypothesis testing to quantum many-body systems and quantum field theory. We review some of the necessary background material, and study in some detail the situation where the two states one wants to distinguish are parametrically close. The relevant error estimates involve quantities such as the variance of relative entropy, for which we prove a new inequality. We explore the optimal measurement strategy for spin chains and two-dimensional conformal field theory, focusing on the task of distinguishing reduced density matrices of subsystems. The optimal strategy turns out to be somewhat cumbersome to implement in practice, and we discuss a possible alternative strategy and the corresponding errors.
In this report we study certification of quantum measurements, which can be viewed as the extension of quantum hypotheses testing. This extensions involves the study of the input state and the measurement procedure. Here, we will be interested in two-point (binary) certification scheme in which the null alternative hypotheses are single element sets. Our goal is to minimize the probability of the type II error given some fixed statistical significance. In this report, we begin with studying the two-point certification of pure quantum states and unitary channels to later use them to prove our main result, which is the certification of von Neumann measurements in single-shot and parallel scenarios. From our main result follow the conditions when two pure states, unitary operations and von Neumann measurements cannot be distinguished perfectly but still can be certified with a given statistical significance. Moreover, we show the connection between the certification of quantum channels and the notion of
q-numerical range.
In this report we study certification of quantum measurements, which can be viewed as the extension of quantum hypotheses testing. This extension involves also the study of the input state and the measurement procedure. Here, we will be interested in two-point (binary) certification scheme in which the null and alternative hypotheses are single element sets. Our goal is to minimize the probability of the type II error given some fixed statistical significance. In this report, we begin with studying the two-point certification of pure quantum states and unitary channels to later use them to prove our main result, which is the certification of von Neumann measurements in single-shot and parallel scenarios. From our main result follow the conditions when two pure states, unitary operations and von Neumann measurements cannot be distinguished perfectly but still can be certified with a given statistical significance. Moreover, we show the connection between the certification of quantum channels or von Neumann measurements and the notion of q-numerical range.
This lecture notes gives a basic survey of the theory of hypothesis testing of quantum states in finite dimensional Hilbert spaces. Optimal measurement strategy for testing binary quantum hypotheses, which result in minimum error probability, is discussed. Collective and individual adaptive measurement strategies in testing hypotheses in the multiple copy scenario, with various upper and lower bounds on error probability, are outlined. A brief account on quantum channel discrimination and the role of entangled states in achieving enhanced precision in the task of channel discrimination is given.
This expository article gives an overview of the theory of hypothesis testing of quantum states in finite dimensional Hilbert spaces. Optimal measurement strategy for testing binary quantum hypotheses, which result in minimum error probability, is discussed. Collective and individual adaptive measurement strategies in testing hypotheses in the multiple copy scenario, with various upper and lower bounds on error probability, are outlined. A brief account on quantum channel discrimination and the role of entangled states in achieving enhanced precision in the task of channel discrimination is given.