Distinguishing classically indistinguishable states and channels [1]

We investigate an original family of quantum distinguishability problems, where the goal is to perfectly distinguish between M quantum states that become identical under a completely decohering map. Similarly, we study distinguishability of M quantum channels that cannot be distinguished when one is restricted to decohered input and output states. The studied problems arise naturally in the presence of a superselection rule, allow one to quantify the amount of information that can be encoded in phase degrees of freedom (coherences), and are related to time-energy uncertainty relation. We present a collection of results on both necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of M perfectly distinguishable states (channels) that are classically indistinguishable.