Optimizations of quantum measurement processes for signal detection and information transmission in quantum systems
Masashi Ban, Masao Osaki, Osamu Hirota · Journal of Modern Optics · 1996
The calculation method proposed here obtains an optimum detection process for an M-ary signal whose quantum states are linearly independent and nonorthogonal. Optimizations are carried out by minimizing the average probability of error or by maximizing the mutual information in the signal detection process. Quantum detection operators, in terms of which the signal detection process is mathematically described, are assumed to be projection operators defined on a Hilbert space H s spanned by the quantum states of the signal; that is, the best projection operators that describe the signal detection process are obtained. The optimization procedure is equivalent to finding an appropriate unitary transformation in the Hilbert space H s. For a binary quantum state signal, the optimum detection processes in which the average probability of error is minimized and in which the mutual information is maximized are obtained. It is found that the optimum detection process minimizing the average probability of error is the same as that maximizing the mutual information.