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arXiv:2502.10196 · Physical Review Research

Precise quantum control of molecular rotation toward a desired orientation

Qian-Qian Hong, Daoyi Dong, Niels E. Henriksen, Franco Nori, Jun He, Chuan‐Cun Shu

Published Feb 28, 2025• 17 citations
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Abstract

The lack of a direct map between control fields and desired control objectives poses a significant challenge in applying quantum control theory to quantum technologies. Here, we propose an analytical framework to precisely control a limited set of quantum states and construct desired coherent superpositions using a well-designed laser pulse sequence with optimal amplitudes, phases, and delays. This theoretical framework that corresponds to a multilevel pulse-area theorem establishes a straightforward mapping between the control parameters of the pulse sequence and the amplitudes and phases of rotational states within a specific subspace. As an example, we utilize this approach to generate 15 distinct and desired rotational superpositions of ultracold polar molecules, leading to 15 desired field-free molecular orientations. By optimizing the superposition of the lowest 16 rotational states, we demonstrate that this approach can achieve a maximum orientation value of | 〈 cos θ 〉 | max above 0.99, which is very close to the global optimal value of 1 that could be achieved in an infinite-dimensional state space. This work marks a significant advancement in achieving precise control over multilevel subsystems within molecules. It holds potential applications in molecular alignment and orientation, as well as in various interdisciplinary fields related to the precise quantum control of ultracold polar molecules, opening up considerable opportunities in molecular-based quantum techniques.

DOI
10.1103/physrevresearch.7.l012049

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The lack of a direct map between control fields and desired control objectives poses a significant challenge in applying quantum control theory to quantum technologies. Here, we propose an analytical framework to precisely control a limited set of quantum states and construct desired coherent superpositions using a well-designed laser pulse sequence with optimal amplitudes, phases, and delays. This theoretical framework that corresponds to a multilevel pulse-area theorem establishes a straightforward mapping between the control parameters of the pulse sequence and the amplitudes and phases of rotational states within a specific subspace. As an example, we utilize this approach to generate 15 distinct and desired rotational superpositions of ultracold polar molecules, leading to 15 desired field-free molecular orientations. By optimizing the superposition of the lowest 16 rotational states, we demonstrate that this approach can achieve a maximum orientation value of | 〈 cos θ 〉 | max above 0.99, which is very close to the global optimal value of 1 that could be achieved in an infinite-dimensional state space. This work marks a significant advancement in achieving precise control over multilevel subsystems within molecules. It holds potential applications in molecular alignment and orientation, as well as in various interdisciplinary fields related to the precise quantum control of ultracold polar molecules, opening up considerable opportunities in molecular-based quantum techniques.
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We theoretically explore the precise control of a molecular polariton by strongly coupling the lowest three rotational states of a single molecule with a single-mode cavity. We examine two distinct cavity resonance configurations: a fundamental frequency cavity $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}=2B$ with the rotational constant B)B)B) resonating with the lowest two rotational states, and a second harmonic cavity $({\ensuremath{\omega}}_{c}=4B)$ coupling with the first and second excited rotational states. We propose two control schemes based on the two polariton configurations and derive the corresponding pulse-area theorems to achieve a theoretical maximum orientation of 0.7746, identical to the molecule without the cavity. The control schemes are analyzed in carbonyl sulfide (OCS) molecules in their ground rotational state. Our numerical simulation results demonstrate the theoretical control schemes and analyze the sensitivity of the molecular polariton orientation degree to the control field bandwidth and phases. This work provides a valuable reference for achieving maximum field-free orientation of ultracold three-state molecules in a cavity using analytically designed pulses.