Maximal LELM Distinguishability of Qubit and Qutrit Bell States Using Projective and Non-Projective Measurements

Abstract: Numerous quantum information protocols make use of maximally entangled two-particle states, or Bell states, in which information is stored in the correlations between the two particles rather than their individual properties. Retrieving information stored in this way means distinguishing between different Bell states, yet the well known no-go theorem establishes that projective linear evolution and local measurement (LELM) detection schemes can only reliably distinguish three of the four qubit Bell states. We establish maximum distinguishability of the qutrit Bell states of bosons via projective LELM measurements; only three of the nine Bell states can be distinguished. Next, we extend to the case of non-projective measurements. We strengthen the no-go theorem by showing that general LELM measurements cannot reliably distinguish all four qubit Bell states. We also establish that at most five qutrit Bell states can be distinguished with generalized LELM measurements.