Semi-device independent certification of multiple unsharpness parameters through sequential measurements

TL;DR

This paper develops semi-device independent protocols to certify multiple unsharpness parameters in quantum systems using sequential measurements in parity-oblivious random-access-code scenarios, enabling self-testing of states and measurements.

Contribution

It introduces new self-testing protocols for multiple unsharpness parameters in prepare-measure scenarios via sequential advantage sharing.

Findings

Maximum three observers share advantage in 3-bit case

Optimal advantages certify states, measurements, and unsharpness parameters

Two observers can share advantage in 4-bit case

Abstract

Based on a sequential communication game, semi-device independent certification of an unsharp instrument has recently been demonstrated [\href{https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1367-2630/ab3773}{New J. Phys. 21 083034 (2019), }\href{https://journals.aps.org/prresearch/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.033014}{ Phys. Rev. Research 2, 033014 (2020)}]. In this paper, we provide semi-device independent self-testing protocols in the prepare-measure scenario to certify multiple unsharpness parameters along with the states and the measurement settings. This is achieved through the sequential quantum advantage shared by multiple independent observers in a suitable communication game known as parity-oblivious random-access-code. We demonstrate that in 3-bit parity-oblivious random-access-code, at most three independent observers can sequentially share quantum advantage. The optimal pair (triple) of quantum advantages enables us to uniquely certify the qubit states, the measurement settings, and the unsharpness parameter(s). The practical implementation of a given protocol involves inevitable losses. In a sub-optimal scenario, we derive a certified interval within which a specific unsharpness parameter has to be confined. We extend our treatment to the 4-bit case and show that at most two observers can share quantum advantage for the qubit system. Further, we provide a sketch to argue that four sequential observers can share the quantum advantage for the two-qubit system, thereby enabling the certification of three unsharpness parameters.