PT-symmetric quantum state discrimination

Understand

Suppose that a system is known to be in one of two quantum states, $|\psi_1 > $ or $|\psi_2 >$.

• If these states are not orthogonal, then in conventional quantum mechanics it is impossible with one measurement to determine with certainty which state the system is in.
• However, because a non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonian determines the inner product that is appropriate for the Hilbert space of physical states, it is always possible to choose this inner product so that the two states $|\psi_1 > $ and $|\psi_2 > $ are orthogonal.
• Thus, quantum state discrimination can, in principle, be achieved with a single measurement.