Distinguishability Transitions from Global Quantum Snapshots

Abstract

Quantum states generated by generic time evolution are locally featureless: local measurements return random outcomes that are identical for all states. However, global snapshots in the computational basis are surprisingly effective at distinguishing between quantum states. We explore the ability of Bayesian classifiers to discriminate between many random quantum states using a small number of measurement outcomes. We identify a phase transition in the ability of the classifier to distinguish between $k$ candidate states with $m$ shots controlled by the variable $x = m / \ln k$, and derive the threshold value $x_c$. We extend our results to low-depth circuits near the onset of anti-concentration, as well as to noisy circuits and phase-random states.