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Quantum search algorithms have important applications in quantum information, which have been experimentally demonstrated in several quantum systems with database sizes up to 16. We first propose an efficient quantum search scheme based on an optimized Grover’s algorithm and a novel encoding method. With this scheme, a target element can be deterministically searched in a large database using only a single qubit. Then we implement this search scheme in linear optics with database sizes up to 40. Experimental results fit well with the theoretical results, with all fidelities greater than 99.7%. The limitation of the number of elements encoded in a single qubit is also investigated in the experiment. The experimental results indicate that a target state can be successfully searched from a database of size 36 using a single qubit in our laboratory. Since only one qubit and one-qubit gates are required, this search scheme is quite efficient and general, and can be adopted to implement the same task in most quantum systems.

Quantum random access codes (QRACs) provide a basic tool for demonstrating the advantages of quantum resources and protocols, which have a wide range of applications in quantum information processing tasks. However, the investigation and application of high-dimensional $(d)$ multi-input $(n)$ $n^{(d)}\rightarrow1$ QRACs are still lacking. Here, we present a general method to find the maximum success probability of $n^{(d)}\rightarrow1$ QRACs. In particular, we give the analytical solution for maximum success probability of $3^{(d)}\rightarrow1$ QRACs when measurement bases are mutually unbiased bases (MUBs). Based on the analytical solution, we show the relationship between MUBs and $n^{(d)}\rightarrow1$ QRACs. First, we provide a systematic method of searching for the operational inequivalence of MUBs (OI-MUBs) when the dimension $d$ is a prime power. Second, we theoretically prove that, surprisingly, the commonly used Galois MUBs are not the optimal measurement bases to obtain the maximum success probability of $n^{(d)}\rightarrow1$ QRACs, which indicates a breakthrough according to the traditional conjecture regarding the optimal measurement bases. Furthermore, based on high-fidelity high-dimensional quantum states of orbital angular momentum, we experimentally achieve two-input and three-input QRACs up to dimension 11. We experimentally confirm the OI-MUBs when $d=5$. Our results open alternative avenues for investigating the foundational properties of quantum mechanics and quantum network coding.

Certifying quantum measurements is increasingly important for foundational insights in quantum information science. Here, we report an experimental certification of unknown quantum measurements in a semi-device-independent setting. For the first time, we experimentally demonstrate that genuine three-outcome positive operator-valued measures (POVMs) can be certified under the assumption of a limited overlap between the prepared quantum states. The generalized quantum measurements are realized through discrete-time quantum walk and our experimental results clearly show that three-outcome POVMs can be certified even in the presence of noise. Finally, we experimentally investigate that optimal POVMs for performing unambiguous state discrimination can be self-tested. Our work opens new avenues for robust certification of quantum systems in the prepare-and-measure scenario.

We investigate the issue of assisted coherence distillation in the asymptotic limit (considering infinite copies of the resource states), by coordinately performing the identical local operations on the auxiliary systems of each copy. When we further restrict the coordinate operations to projective measurements, the distillation process is branched into many sub-processes. Finally, a simple formula is given that the assisted distillable coherence should be the maximal average coherence of the residual states. The formula makes the experimental research of assisted coherence distillation possible and convenient, especially for the case that the system and its auxiliary are in mixed states. By using the formula,\ we for the first time study the assisted coherence distillation in multipartite systems. Monogamy-like inequalities are given to constrain the distribution of the assisted distillable coherence in the subsystems. Taking three-qubit system for example, we experimentally prepare two types of tripartite correlated states, i.e., the $W$-type and GHZ-type states in a linear optical setup, and experimentally explore the assisted coherence distillation. Theoretical and experimental results agree well to verify the distribution inequalities given by us. Three measures of multipartite quantum correlation are also considered. The close relationship between the assisted coherence distillation and the genuine multipartite correlation is revealed., Comment: 13 pages, 2 figures

In light-pulsed atom interferometry, the phase accumulated by atoms depends on the effective wave vector of the absorbed photons. In this work, we proposed a theory model to analyses the effective wave vector of photons in structured light. As for monochromatic optical field, a transverse confinement could lead to diffraction. We put forward that in light-atom interaction, the atom wave function could also provide a transverse confinement thus affect the effective wave vector of the absorbed photons. We calculated the relative shift of the photon effective wave vector when an atom with a Gaussian wave function absorbs one photon at the waist in a Gaussian beam. This shift could lead to a systematic effect related to atom spatial distribution in high precision experiment based on light-pulsed atom interferometry., 5 pages, 3 figures

The violation of the no-signalling principle — information can be transmitted faster than light — is experimentally investigated using entangled photons. It can be simulated when the parity–time symmetrically evolved subspace is solely considered. The experimental progress achieved in parity–time ( ) symmetry in classical optics1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 is the most important accomplishment in the past decade15 and stimulates many new applications, such as unidirectional light transport5,6,7,8 and single-mode lasers12,13. However, in the quantum regime, some controversial effects are proposed for -symmetric theory16,17,18,19, for example, the potential violation of the no-signalling principle19. It is therefore important to understand whether -symmetric theory is consistent with well-established principles. Here, we experimentally study this no-signalling problem related to the -symmetric theory using two space-like separated entangled photons, with one of them passing through a post-selected quantum gate, which effectively simulates a -symmetric evolution. Our results suggest that the superluminal information transmission can be simulated when the successfully -symmetrically evolved subspace is solely considered. However, considering this subspace is only a part of the full Hermitian system, additional information regarding whether the -symmetric evolution is successful is necessary, which transmits to the receiver at maximally light speed, maintaining the no-signalling principle.