Experimental scheme for unambiguous discrimination of linearly independent symmetric states

TL;DR

This paper presents an optimal linear optics-based scheme for unambiguously discriminating four linearly independent symmetric quantum states, with potential extension to larger sets, matching the theoretical optimal probability.

Contribution

It introduces an experimentally feasible scheme for unambiguous discrimination of symmetric states that aligns with the optimal theoretical probability, extendable to larger state sets.

Findings

Achieves optimal discrimination probability for four symmetric states

Uses only linear optics in the experimental setup

Can be extended to discriminate among 2^M symmetric states

Abstract

We propose an optimal discrimination scheme for a case of four linearly independent nonorthogonal symmetric quantum states, based on linear optics only. The probability of discrimination is in agreement with the optimal probability for unambiguous discrimination among N symmetric states [Phys. Lett. A \textbf{250}, 223 (1998)]. The experimental setup can be extended for the case of discrimination among $2^M$ nonorthogonal symmetric quantum states.