$N$-sequential Conclusive State Discrimination in a General Case

Elena R. Loubenets, Min Namkung

Published 2021-02-09Version 1

In the present article, we develop a general framework for the description of an $N$-sequential state discrimination, where each of $N$ receivers always obtains a conclusive result. For this new state discrimination scenario, we derive two mutually equivalent general representations of the success probability and prove that if one of two states, pure or mixed, is prepared by a sender, then the optimal success probability is given by the Helstrom bound for any number $N$ of sequential receivers. Furthermore, we specify receivers' indirect measurements resulting in the optimal $N$-sequential conclusive state discrimination protocol. The developed framework is true for any number $N$ of sequential receivers, any number of arbitrary quantum states, pure or mixed, to be discriminated, and all types of receivers' quantum measurements. The new general results derived within the developed framework are important both from the theoretical point of view and for a successful multipartite quantum communication even in the presence of a quantum noise.