  We investigate the unambiguous comparison of quantum states in a scenario
that is more general than the one that was originally suggested by Barnett et
al. First, we find the optimal solution for the comparison of two states taken
from a set of two pure states with arbitrary a priori probabilities. We show
that the optimal coherent measurement is always superior to the optimal
incoherent measurement. Second, we develop a strategy for the comparison of two
states from a set of N pure states, and find an optimal solution for some
parameter range when N=3. In both cases we use the reduction method for the
corresponding problem of mixed state discrimination, as introduced by Raynal et
al., which reduces the problem to the discrimination of two pure states only
for N=2. Finally, we provide a necessary and sufficient condition for
unambiguous comparison of mixed states to be possible.
