Quantum optimal control theory

Quantum optimal control theory

The control of quantum dynamics via specially tailored laser pulses is a longstanding goal in physics and chemistry. Partly, this dream has come true, as sophisticated pulse-shaping experiments allow us to coherently control product ratios of chemical reactions. The theoretical design of the laser pulse to transfer an initial state to a given final state can be achieved with the help of quantum...

Quantum Computing and Optimal Control Theory

Acceleration of quantum optimal control theory algorithms with mixing strategies.

We propose the use of mixing strategies to accelerate the convergence of the common iterative algorithms utilized in quantum optimal control theory (QOCT). We show how the nonlinear equations of QOCT can be viewed as a "fixed-point" nonlinear problem. The iterative algorithms for this class of problems may benefit from mixing strategies, as it happens, e.g., in the quest for the ground-state de...

Stochastic optimal control theory

Control theory is a mathematical description of how to act optimally to gain future rewards. In this paper I give an introduction to deterministic and stochastic control theory; partial observability, learning and the combined problem of inference and control. Subsequently, I discuss a class of non-linear stochastic control problems that can be efficiently solved using a path integral. In this ...

Optimal Control Theory

Optimal control theory is a mature mathematical discipline with numerous applications in both science and engineering. It is emerging as the computational framework of choice for studying the neural control of movement, in much the same way that probabilistic inference is emerging as the computational framework of choice for studying sensory information processing. Despite the growing popularit...