We present a necessary condition for two sets of maximally entangled states to be locally equivalent in terms of local invariants. With the help of these invariants, first, we are able to completely classify all the distinguishable and indistinguishable sets of four generalized Bell states in the $4\otimes 4$ quantum system: there are ten inequivalent classes including three locally indistinguishable and seven locally distinguishable quadruples. All distinguishable quadruples in this case can be distinguished by using only one-way classical communication, implying that the two-way classical communication has no advantage over one-way classical communication, similar to the case of qubit lattice states. Second, we are able to completely classify all the triplets of generalized Bell states in the quantum systems of all prime dimensions as well as in some composite dimensions.

• Received 22 May 2016
• Revised 14 September 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.94.052315