The Aharon-Vaidman (AV) game exemplifies the advantage of using simple quantum systems to outperform classical strategies. We present an experimental test of this advantage by using a three-state quantum system (qutrit) encoded in a spatial mode of a single photon passing through three slits. The preparation of a particular state is controlled as the photon propagates through the slits by varying the number of open slits and their respective phases. The measurements are achieved by placing detectors in the specific positions in the near and far fields after the slits. This set of tools allowed us to perform tomographic reconstructions of generalized qutrit states, and to implement the quantum version of the AV game with compelling evidence of the quantum advantage.

• Received 18 November 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.012321