Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Mathematical Physics

On the controllability of quantum-mechanical systems

Garng M. Huang, TZYH JONG TARN, John W. Clark

Published Nov 1, 1983• 404 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The systems-theoretic concept of controllability is elaborated for quantum-mechanical systems, sufficient conditions being sought under which the state vector ψ can be guided in time to a chosen point in the Hilbert space ℋ of the system. The Schrödinger equation for a quantum object influenced by adjustable external fields provides a state-evolution equation which is linear in ψ and linear in the external controls (thus a bilinear control system). For such systems the existence of a dense analytic domain 𝒟ω in the sense of Nelson, together with the assumption that the Lie algebra associated with the system dynamics gives rise to a tangent space of constant finite dimension, permits the adaptation of the geometric approach developed for finite-dimensional bilinear and nonlinear control systems. Conditions are derived for global controllability on the intersection of 𝒟ω with a suitably defined finite-dimensional submanifold of the unit sphere Sℋ in ℋ. Several soluble examples are presented to illuminate the general theoretical results.

DOI
10.1063/1.525634

Related papers

Controllability of time-dependent quantum control systems

Chunhua Lan

Abstract — The question of controllability is investigated for a quantum control system in which the Hamiltonian operator components carry explicit time dependence which is not under the control of an external agent. We consider the general situation in which the state moves in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, a drift term is present, and the operators driving the state evolution may be unbounded. However, considerations are restricted by the assumption that there exists an analytic domain, dense in the state space, on which solutions of the controlled Schrödinger equation may be expressed globally in exponential form. The issue of controllability then naturally focuses on the ability to steer the quantum state on a finitedimensional submanifold of the unit sphere in Hilbert space – and thus on analytic controllability. A relatively straightforward strategy allows the extension of Lie-algebraic conditions for strong analytic controllability derived earlier for the simpler, time-independent system in which the drift Hamiltonian and the interaction Hamiltonia have no intrinsic time dependence. Enlarging the state space by one dimension corresponding to the time variable, we construct an augmented control system that can be treated as time-independent. Methods developed by Kunita can then be implemented to establish controllability conditions for the one-dimension-reduced system defined by the original time-dependent Schrödinger control problem. The applicability of the resulting theorem is illustrated with selected examples. I.

•Jan 1, 2003•3 citations

Analytic controllability of time-dependent quantum control systems

Chunhua Lan, Tzyh‐Jong Tarn, Quo-Shin Chi +1 more

The question of controllability is investigated for a quantum control system in which the Hamiltonian operator components carry explicit time dependence which is not under the control of an external agent. We consider the general situation in which the state moves in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, a drift term is present, and the operators driving the state evolution may be unbounded. However, considerations are restricted by the assumption that there exists an analytic domain, dense in the state space, on which solutions of the controlled Schrödinger equation may be expressed globally in exponential form. The issue of controllability then naturally focuses on the ability to steer the quantum state on a finite-dimensional submanifold of the unit sphere in Hilbert space—and thus on analytic controllability. A relatively straightforward strategy allows the extension of Lie-algebraic conditions for strong analytic controllability derived earlier for the simpler, time-independent system in which the drift Hamiltonian and the interaction Hamiltonian have no intrinsic time dependence. Enlarging the state space by one dimension corresponding to the time variable, we construct an augmented control system that can be treated as time independent. Methods developed by Kunita can then be implemented to establish controllability conditions for the one-dimension-reduced system defined by the original time-dependent Schrödinger control problem. The applicability of the resulting theorem is illustrated with selected examples.

arXiv:quant-ph/0409147•Journal of Mathematical Physics•Apr 4, 2005•37 citations

CONTROL OF QUANTUM SYSTEMS

J. W. Clark, Dennis G. Lucarelli, Tzyh‐Jong Tarn

A quantum system subject to external fields is said to be controllable if these fields can be adjusted to guide the state vector to a desired destination in the state space of the system. Fundamental results on controllability are reviewed against the background of recent ideas and advances in two seemingly disparate endeavours: (i) laser control of chemical reactions and (ii) quantum computation. Using Lie-algebraic methods, sufficient conditions have been derived for global controllability on a finite-dimensional manifold of an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, in the case that the Hamiltonian and control operators, possibly unbounded, possess a common dense domain of analytic vectors. Some simple examples are presented. A synergism between quantum control and quantum computation is creating a host of exciting new opportunities for both activities. The impact of these developments on computational many-body theory could be profound.

arXiv:nucl-th/0205005•International Journal of Modern Physics B•Nov 10, 2003•40 citations

Finite Controllability of Infinite-Dimensional Quantum Systems

Anthony M. Bloch, Roger W. Brockett, Chitra Rangan

Quantum phenomena of interest in connection with applications to computation and communication often involve generating specific transfers between eigenstates, and their linear superpositions. For some quantum systems, such as spin systems, the quantum evolution equation (the Schrödinger equation) is finite-dimensional and old results on controllability of systems defined on on Lie groups and quotient spaces provide most of what is needed insofar as controllability of non-dissipative systems is concerned. However, in an infinite-dimensional setting, controlling the evolution of quantum systems often presents difficulties, both conceptual and technical. In this paper we present a systematic approach to a class of such problems for which it is possible to avoid some of the technical issues. In particular, we analyze controllability for infinite-dimensional bilinear systems under assumptions that make controllability possible using trajectories lying in a nested family of pre-defined subspaces. This result, which we call the Finite Controllability Theorem, provides a set of sufficient conditions for controllability in an infinite-dimensional setting. We consider specific physical systems that are of interest for quantum computing, and provide insights into the types of quantum operations (gates) that may be developed.

arXiv:quant-ph/0608075•IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control•Mar 2, 2010•70 citations

Controllability of quantum mechanical systems with continuous spectra

TZYH JONG TARN, J. W. Clark, Dennis G. Lucarelli

The property of controllability of quantum systems is revisited. In the case of a system having this property, couplings to external agents are available whose adjustment can guide the state to any chosen target on a suitably defined manifold (or arbitrarily close to any such target) at any chosen time. With due consideration to unbounded operators corresponding to physical observables possessing continuous spectra, sufficient conditions for controllability based on Lie-algebraic arguments are obtained. The results are not limited to finite-dimensional systems, nor to infinite-dimensional systems with discrete spectra. The applicability of the results to systems with both bound and scattering states is demonstrated for the case of the one-dimensional Poschl-Teller potential. Attention is also directed to transitivity of the pertinent Lie algebra of a system without drift as a necessary and sufficient condition for controllability.

IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC)•Nov 11, 2002•11 citations

Controllability Aspects of Quantum Dynamics: A Unified Approach for Closed and Open Systems

I. Kurniawan, Gunther Dirr, Uwe Helmke B

Knowledge about to what extent quantum dynamical systems can be steered by coherent controls is indispensable for future developments in quantum technology. The purpose of this paper is to analyze such controllability aspects for finite dimensional bilinear quantum control systems. We use a unified approach based on Lie-algebraic methods from nonlinear control theory to revisit known and to establish new results for closed and open quantum systems. In particular, we provide a simplified characterization of different notions of controllability for closed quantum systems described by the Liouville-von Neumann equation. We derive new necessary and sufficient conditions for accessibility of open quantum systems modelled by the Lindblad-Kossakowski master equation. To this end, we exploit a well-studied topic of differential geometry, namely the classification of all matrix Lie-groups which act transitively on the Grassmann manifold or the punctured Euclidean space. For the special case of coupled spin-1/2 systems, we obtain a remarkably simple characterization of accessibility. These accessibility results correct and refine previous statements in the quantum control literature.

IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control•Jul 19, 2012•32 citations
The systems-theoretic concept of controllability is elaborated for quantum-mechanical systems, sufficient conditions being sought under which the state vector ψ can be guided in time to a chosen point in the Hilbert space ℋ of the system. The Schrödinger equation for a quantum object influenced by adjustable external fields provides a state-evolution equation which is linear in ψ and linear in the external controls (thus a bilinear control system). For such systems the existence of a dense analytic domain 𝒟ω in the sense of Nelson, together with the assumption that the Lie algebra associated with the system dynamics gives rise to a tangent space of constant finite dimension, permits the adaptation of the geometric approach developed for finite-dimensional bilinear and nonlinear control systems. Conditions are derived for global controllability on the intersection of 𝒟ω with a suitably defined finite-dimensional submanifold of the unit sphere Sℋ in ℋ. Several soluble examples are presented to illuminate the general theoretical results.
Abstract — The question of controllability is investigated for a quantum control system in which the Hamiltonian operator components carry explicit time dependence which is not under the control of an external agent. We consider the general situation in which the state moves in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, a drift term is present, and the operators driving the state evolution may be unbounded. However, considerations are restricted by the assumption that there exists an analytic domain, dense in the state space, on which solutions of the controlled Schrödinger equation may be expressed globally in exponential form. The issue of controllability then naturally focuses on the ability to steer the quantum state on a finitedimensional submanifold of the unit sphere in Hilbert space – and thus on analytic controllability. A relatively straightforward strategy allows the extension of Lie-algebraic conditions for strong analytic controllability derived earlier for the simpler, time-independent system in which the drift Hamiltonian and the interaction Hamiltonia have no intrinsic time dependence. Enlarging the state space by one dimension corresponding to the time variable, we construct an augmented control system that can be treated as time-independent. Methods developed by Kunita can then be implemented to establish controllability conditions for the one-dimension-reduced system defined by the original time-dependent Schrödinger control problem. The applicability of the resulting theorem is illustrated with selected examples. I.
The question of controllability is investigated for a quantum control system in which the Hamiltonian operator components carry explicit time dependence which is not under the control of an external agent. We consider the general situation in which the state moves in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, a drift term is present, and the operators driving the state evolution may be unbounded. However, considerations are restricted by the assumption that there exists an analytic domain, dense in the state space, on which solutions of the controlled Schrödinger equation may be expressed globally in exponential form. The issue of controllability then naturally focuses on the ability to steer the quantum state on a finite-dimensional submanifold of the unit sphere in Hilbert space—and thus on analytic controllability. A relatively straightforward strategy allows the extension of Lie-algebraic conditions for strong analytic controllability derived earlier for the simpler, time-independent system in which the drift Hamiltonian and the interaction Hamiltonian have no intrinsic time dependence. Enlarging the state space by one dimension corresponding to the time variable, we construct an augmented control system that can be treated as time independent. Methods developed by Kunita can then be implemented to establish controllability conditions for the one-dimension-reduced system defined by the original time-dependent Schrödinger control problem. The applicability of the resulting theorem is illustrated with selected examples.
A quantum system subject to external fields is said to be controllable if these fields can be adjusted to guide the state vector to a desired destination in the state space of the system. Fundamental results on controllability are reviewed against the background of recent ideas and advances in two seemingly disparate endeavours: (i) laser control of chemical reactions and (ii) quantum computation. Using Lie-algebraic methods, sufficient conditions have been derived for global controllability on a finite-dimensional manifold of an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, in the case that the Hamiltonian and control operators, possibly unbounded, possess a common dense domain of analytic vectors. Some simple examples are presented. A synergism between quantum control and quantum computation is creating a host of exciting new opportunities for both activities. The impact of these developments on computational many-body theory could be profound.
Quantum phenomena of interest in connection with applications to computation and communication often involve generating specific transfers between eigenstates, and their linear superpositions. For some quantum systems, such as spin systems, the quantum evolution equation (the Schrödinger equation) is finite-dimensional and old results on controllability of systems defined on on Lie groups and quotient spaces provide most of what is needed insofar as controllability of non-dissipative systems is concerned. However, in an infinite-dimensional setting, controlling the evolution of quantum systems often presents difficulties, both conceptual and technical. In this paper we present a systematic approach to a class of such problems for which it is possible to avoid some of the technical issues. In particular, we analyze controllability for infinite-dimensional bilinear systems under assumptions that make controllability possible using trajectories lying in a nested family of pre-defined subspaces. This result, which we call the Finite Controllability Theorem, provides a set of sufficient conditions for controllability in an infinite-dimensional setting. We consider specific physical systems that are of interest for quantum computing, and provide insights into the types of quantum operations (gates) that may be developed.
The property of controllability of quantum systems is revisited. In the case of a system having this property, couplings to external agents are available whose adjustment can guide the state to any chosen target on a suitably defined manifold (or arbitrarily close to any such target) at any chosen time. With due consideration to unbounded operators corresponding to physical observables possessing continuous spectra, sufficient conditions for controllability based on Lie-algebraic arguments are obtained. The results are not limited to finite-dimensional systems, nor to infinite-dimensional systems with discrete spectra. The applicability of the results to systems with both bound and scattering states is demonstrated for the case of the one-dimensional Poschl-Teller potential. Attention is also directed to transitivity of the pertinent Lie algebra of a system without drift as a necessary and sufficient condition for controllability.
Knowledge about to what extent quantum dynamical systems can be steered by coherent controls is indispensable for future developments in quantum technology. The purpose of this paper is to analyze such controllability aspects for finite dimensional bilinear quantum control systems. We use a unified approach based on Lie-algebraic methods from nonlinear control theory to revisit known and to establish new results for closed and open quantum systems. In particular, we provide a simplified characterization of different notions of controllability for closed quantum systems described by the Liouville-von Neumann equation. We derive new necessary and sufficient conditions for accessibility of open quantum systems modelled by the Lindblad-Kossakowski master equation. To this end, we exploit a well-studied topic of differential geometry, namely the classification of all matrix Lie-groups which act transitively on the Grassmann manifold or the punctured Euclidean space. For the special case of coupled spin-1/2 systems, we obtain a remarkably simple characterization of accessibility. These accessibility results correct and refine previous statements in the quantum control literature.