Optimizing resource consumption, operation complexity and efficiency in quantum-state sharing

An original idea is proposed for constructing optimal schemes of quantum-state sharing with respect to resource consumption, operation complexity and efficiency. To elucidate it, a specific tripartite scheme for securely sharing an arbitrary two-qubit quantum information (i.e., a quantum state) is shown. Compared with the three schemes proposed recently (Deng et al 2005 Phys. Rev. A 72 044301, 2006 Eur. Phys. J. D 39 459), the optimal scheme has the distinct advantages of consuming fewer quantum and classical resources, lessening the difficulty and intensity of necessary operations, and having higher intrinsic efficiency.