All-Gaussian State Discrimination Beyond the Coherent Helstrom Bound
Quantum Physics
2025-10-28 v2
Abstract
A core problem in communications is the optimal discrimination of binary-phase-shift-keyed (BPSK) signals. A longstanding goal has been to reach the fundamental quantum limit, known as the Helstrom bound, for BPSK signals encoded in coherent states. However, due to technical constraints, proposals for reaching the bound remain impractical. In this letter we take an alternative approach: using only Gaussian optics - displaced squeezed states and homodyne detection - we achieve discrimination of BPSK signals with error rates below what can be achieved using coherent states and any quantum measurement.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2510.20096,
title = {All-Gaussian State Discrimination Beyond the Coherent Helstrom Bound},
author = {Angus Walsh and Lorcan Conlon and Biveen Shajilal and Ozlem Erkilic and Jiri Janousek and Syed Assad and Jie Zhao and Ping Koy Lam},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2510.20096},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
5+4 pages - comments very welcome