Transfer of quantum states using finite resources

Abstract

We discuss the problem of transfering a qubit from Alice to Bob using a noisy quantum channel and only finite resources. As the basic protocol for the transfer we apply quantum teleportation. It turns out that for a certain quality of the channel direct teleportation combined with qubit purification is superior to entanglement purification of the channel. If, however, the quality of the channel is rather low one should simply apply an estimation-preparation scheme.