Quantum Control in Multilevel Systems

Ignacio R. Sola, Bo Y. Chang, Svetlana A. Malinovskaya, Vladimir S. Malinovsky

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quantum control originated in the mid-1980s as a set of different laser schemes designed to manipulate chemical reactions and excite the molecule in specific quantum states. In the last four decades it has enlarged its scope to optimize any type of process in quantum systems. In this chapter we analyze in a stepwise manner how the different laser parameters: pulse area, optical phase, duration, timing, frequency and intensity, affect the dynamics, motivating different quantum control mechanisms. We explain the control setups in simple scenarios that involve a few particles, mostly a trapped ion, a quantum dot or a diatomic molecule. Using examples from our own publications, we show how the different control schemes can be used to prepare the system in specific quantum states, or prepare quantum gates, or manipulate the position and width of the wave function, or control the geometry, photophysics, and photochemistry of the molecule in the excited state. Finally, we give an introduction to the techniques of optimal control theory that allow to generalize and globally optimize the dynamics of the system by using a variational approach.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Pages151-256
Number of pages106
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2018

Publication series

NameAdvances in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Volume67
ISSN (Print)1049-250X

Keywords

  • Adiabatic passage
  • Coherent control
  • Laser processes
  • Quantum control
  • Quantum information processes
  • Quantum optimal control algorithms
  • Strong field effects

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