Distinguishing quantum states using time-traveling qubits in the presence of thermal environments

Abstract

We consider quantum circuits with time travel designed for distinguishing specific nonorthogonal quantum states in two most popular models: Deutschs and postselected. We modify them by a presence of weakly coupled thermal environment. Using the Davies approximation we study how the thermal noise affects an ability of the circuits to distinguish nonorthogonal quantum states. We show that for purely dephasing environment a paradoxial power of such circuits remains preserved. We also present a physics based argument for conditions of validity of the maximum entropy rule introduced by David Deutsch for resolving the uniqueness ambiguity in a circuit with time travel.