Experimental realization of optimal detection strategies for overcomplete states

Clarke, Roger B. M. and Kendon, Vivien M. and Chefles, Anthony and Barnett, Stephen M. and Riis, Erling and Sasaki, Masahide (2001) Experimental realization of optimal detection strategies for overcomplete states. Physical Review A, 64 (1). 012303. ISSN 1050-2947 (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.64.012303)

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Abstract

We present the results of generalized measurements of optical polarization designed to provide one of three or four distinct outcomes. This has allowed us to discriminate between nonorthogonal polarization states with an error probability that is close to the minimum allowed by quantum theory. Employing these optimal detection strategies on sets of three (trine) or four (tetrad) equiprobable symmetric nonorthogonal polarization states, we obtain a mutual information that exceeds the maximum value attainable using conventional (von Neumann) polarization measurements.