Measuring an entangled state of two particles is crucial to many quantum communication protocols. Yet Bell-state distinguishability using a finite apparatus obeying linear evolution and local measurement is theoretically limited. We extend known bounds for Bell-state distinguishability in one and two variables to the general case of entanglement in $n$ two-state variables. We show that at most $2^{n+1}-1$ classes out of $4^n$ hyper-Bell states can be distinguished with one copy of the input state. With two copies, complete distinguishability is possible. We present optimal schemes in each case.

• Received 1 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.84.022340