The optimal approximation of qubit states with limited quantum states

Abstract

Measuring the closest distance between two states is an alternative and significant approach in the resource quantification, which is the core task in the resource theory. Quite limited progress has been made for this approach even in simple systems due to the various potential complexities. Here we analytically solve the optimal scheme to find out the closest distance between the objective qubit state and all the possible states convexly mixed by some limited states, namely, to optimally construct the objective qubit state using the quantum states within any given state set. In particular, we find the least number of (not more than four) states within a given set to optimally construct the objective state and also find that any state can be optimally established by at most four quantum states of the set. The examples in various cases are presented to verify our analytic solutions further.