Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:quant-ph/9804031 · Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

Optimal distinction between non-orthogonal quantum states

Asher Peres, Daniel R Terno

Published Aug 28, 1998• 116 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Given a finite set of linearly independent quantum states, an observer who examines a single quantum system may sometimes identify its state with certainty. However, unless these quantum states are orthogonal, there is a finite probability of failure. A complete solution is given to the problem of optimal distinction of three states, having arbitrary prior probabilities and arbitrary detection values. A generalization to more than three states is outlined.

DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/31/34/013

Related papers

Optimal distinction between non-orthogonal quantum states

Asher Peres, Daniel R. Terno

Abstract. Given a finite set of linearly independent quantum states, an observer who examines a single quantum system may sometimes identify its state with certainty. However, unless these quantum states are orthogonal, there is a finite probability of failure. A complete solution is given to the problem of optimal distinction of three states, having arbitrary prior probabilities and arbitrary detection values. A generalization to more than three states is outlined.

•Jan 1, 1998•75 citations

Analysis of optimal unambiguous discrimination of three pure quantum states

Donghoon Ha, Younghun Kwon

We consider unambiguous discrimination of three pure quantum states. Necessary and sufficient conditions to decide which states should be detected for optimal measurement of unambiguous discrimination are provided in terms of inner products and the geometric phase $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}$. We get the optimal measurement and the optimal failure probability when the optimal unambiguous discrimination does not require the detection of every given quantum state. When at least two quantum states are orthogonal to each other, we supply the optimal measurement and optimal failure probability in analytic form. When all three quantum states are not orthogonal to each other and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}\ensuremath{\ne}0$, we find an analytic condition to determine the zero and nonzero elements for an optimal positive operator valued measure. We explain how to determine the solution in a geometric manner. Using the known solution of a case where the mutual inner products are real, we check the necessary and sufficient conditions when $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}=\ensuremath{\pi}$ and analyze the property of the singular point when $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}=0$ and the relation between the optimal points.

Physical Review A•Jun 9, 2015•25 citations

From unambiguous quantum state discrimination to quantum state filtering

János A. Bergou, Ulrike Herzog, Mark S. Hillery

Abstract Unambiguous discrimination among nonorthogonal but linearly independent quantum states is possible with a certain probability of success. Here, we consider a new variant of that problem. Instead of discriminating among all of the N different states, we now ask for less. We want to unambiguously assign the state to one of two complementary subsets of the set of N given non‐orthogonal quantum states, each occurring with given a priori probabilities. We refer to the special case when one subset contains only one state and the other contains the remaining N‐1 states as unambiguous quantum state filtering. We present an optimal analytical solution for the special case of N=3, and discuss the optimal strategy to unambiguously distinguish |ψ1〉 from the set {|ψ2〉,|ψ3〉}. For unambiguous filtering the subsets need not be linearly independent. We briefly discuss how to construct generalized interferometers (multiports) which provide a fully linear optical implementation of the optimal strategy.

Fortschritte der Physik•Feb 26, 2003•0 citations

Optimum unambiguous discrimination between subsets of non-orthogonal states

Yuqing Sun, János A. Bergou, Mark S. Hillery

Unambiguous discrimination among non-orthogonal but linearly independent quantum states is possible with a certain probability of success. Here we consider a variant of that problem; rather than discriminating among all of the different states, we shall discriminate between two subsets of them. In particular, for the case of 3 states, we find the optimal strategy to distinguish one from the other two. This procedure has a higher probability of success than distinguishing all 3 states. We show how to construct generalized interferometers that provide an implementation of the optimal strategy.

•Dec 8, 2001•0 citations

Maximizing the probability of detection for pure states

Andrzej Łuczak

We show that for an infinite number of linearly independent pure states there exists a uniquely determined simple measurement maximizing the probability of detection, generalizing thus the result known for a finite number of states. We also comment on the problem of the existence of an optimal measurement for a sequence of arbitrary normal states in the general Bayes approach.

Journal of Mathematical Physics•May 1, 2009•5 citations

von Neumann measurement is optimal for detecting linearly independent mixed quantum states

Yonina C. Eldar

We consider the problem of designing a measurement to minimize the probability of a detection error when distinguishing between a collection of possibly nonorthogonal mixed quantum states. We show that if the quantum state ensemble consists of linearly independent density operators, then the optimal measurement is an orthogonal von Neumann measurement consisting of mutually orthogonal projection operators, and not a more general positive operator-valued measure.

arXiv:quant-ph/0304077•Physical Review A•Nov 3, 2003•41 citations
Given a finite set of linearly independent quantum states, an observer who examines a single quantum system may sometimes identify its state with certainty. However, unless these quantum states are orthogonal, there is a finite probability of failure. A complete solution is given to the problem of optimal distinction of three states, having arbitrary prior probabilities and arbitrary detection values. A generalization to more than three states is outlined.
We consider unambiguous discrimination of three pure quantum states. Necessary and sufficient conditions to decide which states should be detected for optimal measurement of unambiguous discrimination are provided in terms of inner products and the geometric phase $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}$. We get the optimal measurement and the optimal failure probability when the optimal unambiguous discrimination does not require the detection of every given quantum state. When at least two quantum states are orthogonal to each other, we supply the optimal measurement and optimal failure probability in analytic form. When all three quantum states are not orthogonal to each other and $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}\ensuremath{\ne}0$, we find an analytic condition to determine the zero and nonzero elements for an optimal positive operator valued measure. We explain how to determine the solution in a geometric manner. Using the known solution of a case where the mutual inner products are real, we check the necessary and sufficient conditions when $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}=\ensuremath{\pi}$ and analyze the property of the singular point when $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Phi}}=0$ and the relation between the optimal points.
Abstract Unambiguous discrimination among nonorthogonal but linearly independent quantum states is possible with a certain probability of success. Here, we consider a new variant of that problem. Instead of discriminating among all of the N different states, we now ask for less. We want to unambiguously assign the state to one of two complementary subsets of the set of N given non‐orthogonal quantum states, each occurring with given a priori probabilities. We refer to the special case when one subset contains only one state and the other contains the remaining N‐1 states as unambiguous quantum state filtering. We present an optimal analytical solution for the special case of N=3, and discuss the optimal strategy to unambiguously distinguish |ψ1〉 from the set {|ψ2〉,|ψ3〉}. For unambiguous filtering the subsets need not be linearly independent. We briefly discuss how to construct generalized interferometers (multiports) which provide a fully linear optical implementation of the optimal strategy.
Unambiguous discrimination among non-orthogonal but linearly independent quantum states is possible with a certain probability of success. Here we consider a variant of that problem; rather than discriminating among all of the different states, we shall discriminate between two subsets of them. In particular, for the case of 3 states, we find the optimal strategy to distinguish one from the other two. This procedure has a higher probability of success than distinguishing all 3 states. We show how to construct generalized interferometers that provide an implementation of the optimal strategy.