Abstract
We present a solution of the problem of the optimal unambiguous comparison of two ensembles of unknown quantum states (psi_1)^k and (psi_2)^l. We consider two cases: 1) The two unknown states psi_1 and psi_2 are arbitrary states of qudits. 2) Alternatively, they are coherent states of a harmonic oscillator. For the case of coherent states we propose a simple experimental realization of the optimal "comparison" machine composed of a finite number of beam-splitters and a single photodetector.