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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Achieving laser control of quantum phenomena: balancing computational and experimental capabilities

Herschel H. Rabitz

Published Jan 5, 2004• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An increasing number of experiments have demonstrated that shaped laser pulses can successfully manipulate a broad variety of quantum phenomena. These achievements are drawing on a balance of computational design and high duty cycle closed loop learning control experiments. This paper will consider the special issues involved in best utilizing these capabilities to meet the control objectives. In addition, several topics in the analysis of controlled quantum phenomena will also be considered that draw on these same capabilities.

DOI
10.1117/12.512612

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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Jun 17, 1994•0 citations
An increasing number of experiments have demonstrated that shaped laser pulses can successfully manipulate a broad variety of quantum phenomena. These achievements are drawing on a balance of computational design and high duty cycle closed loop learning control experiments. This paper will consider the special issues involved in best utilizing these capabilities to meet the control objectives. In addition, several topics in the analysis of controlled quantum phenomena will also be considered that draw on these same capabilities.
In recent years, great strides have been made in controlling quantum phenomena through the use of tailored laser pulses. This paper discusses several issues that lie ahead, drawing on the ability to perform massive numbers of closed-loop laser control experiments. Particular attention is given to the robustness of these experiments, the capability of deducing control mechanisms and the introduction of special closed-loop control techniques to reveal Hamiltonian information. All these prospects point towards an increasing ability to control and understand quantum systems through close-loop laboratory techniques.
Most quantum systems considered for control by external fields are plagued by a serious lack of complete information about the underlying Hamiltonian. Traditional feedback control techniques are generally not appropriate due to the latter problem, as well as the ultrafast nature of typical quantum dynamics phenomena and the fact that observations of the quantum system will inevitably lead to a disturbance which may often be contradictory to the desired control. In contrast, learning control techniques have a special role to play in the manipulation of quantum dynamics phenomena. The unique capabilities of quantum systems making them amenable to learning control are (a) the ability to have very large numbers of identical systems for submission to control, (b) the high duty cycle of laboratory laser controls, and (c) the ability to observe the impact of trial controls at ultrafast time scales. Various learning algorithms have been proposed to guide this control process. The paper discusses these proposals, as well as some new perspectives.
Interest in the control of quantum dynamics phenomena has grown in recent years, with laboratory studies showing increasing successes. The role of theory in the control of quantum phenomena encompasses the design of laser controls, the development of algorithms to guide the laboratory studies, and the means to analyze the ensuing dynamics observations. Laboratory laser control instrumentation has the special capability of performing massive numbers of experiments in a short period of time, to rapidly search for controls that meet the objectives. This unique laboratory feature needs to be factored in when considering how to best utilize theoretical analyses. The present paper reviews the role that theory is playing, as well as suggests some future avenues for theory in the laser control of quantum phenomena.
Quantum control is concerned with active manipulation of physical and chemical processes on the atomic and molecular scale. This work presents a perspective of progress in the field of control over quantum phenomena, tracing the evolution of theoretical concepts and experimental methods from early developments to the most recent advances. Among numerous theoretical insights and technological improvements that produced the present state-of-the-art in quantum control, there have been several breakthroughs of foremost importance. On the technology side, the current experimental successes would be impossible without the development of intense femtosecond laser sources and pulse shapers. On the theory side, the two most critical insights were (i) realizing that ultrafast atomic and molecular dynamics can be controlled via manipulation of quantum interferences and (ii) understanding that optimally shaped ultrafast laser pulses are the most effective means for producing the desired quantum interference patterns in the controlled system. Finally, these theoretical and experimental advances were brought together by the crucial concept of adaptive feedback control (AFC), which is a laboratory procedure employing measurement-driven, closed-loop optimization to identify the best shapes of femtosecond laser control pulses for steering quantum dynamics towards the desired objective. Optimization in AFC experiments is guided by a learning algorithm, with stochastic methods proving to be especially effective. AFC of quantum phenomena has found numerous applications in many areas of the physical and chemical sciences, and this paper reviews the extensive experiments. Other subjects discussed include quantum optimal control theory, quantum control landscapes, the role of theoretical control designs in experimental realizations and real-time quantum feedback control. The paper concludes with a perspective of open research directions that are likely to attract significant attention in the future.
Quantum control is concerned with active manipulation of physical and chemical processes on the atomic and molecular scale. This work presents a perspective of progress in the field of control over quantum phenomena, tracing the evolution of theoretical concepts and experimental methods from early developments to the most recent advances. Among numerous theoretical insights and technological improvements that produced the present state-of-the-art in quantum control, there have been several breakthroughs of foremost importance. On the technology side, the current experimental successes would be impossible without the development of intense femtosecond laser sources and pulse shapers. On the theory side, the two most critical insights were (i) realizing that ultrafast atomic and molecular dynamics can be controlled via manipulation of quantum interferences and (ii) understanding that optimally shaped ultrafast laser pulses are the most effective means for producing the desired quantum interference patterns in the controlled system. Finally, these theoretical and experimental advances were brought together by the crucial concept of adaptive feedback control (AFC), which is a laboratory procedure employing measurement-driven, closed-loop optimization to identify the best shapes of femtosecond laser control pulses for steering quantum dynamics towards the desired objective. Optimization in AFC experiments is guided by a learning algorithm, with stochastic methods proving to be especially effective. AFC of quantum phenomena has found numerous applications in many areas of the physical and chemical sciences, and this paper reviews the extensive experiments. Other subjects discussed include quantum optimal control theory, quantum control landscapes, the role of theoretical control designs in experimental realizations and real-time quantum feedback control. The paper concludes with a perspective of open research directions that are likely to attract significant attention in the future.
This paper gives an overview of the logic behind current conceptual issues directed towards controlling quantum phenomena. The role of theory to translate these concepts into laboratory designs will be highlighted, along with an explanation of the complexities of achieving realistic designs. As a result, it will be argued that closed-loop feedback control of quantum dynamics in the laboratory is not only feasible, but will typically be a necessity for the achievement of practical control over quantum phenomena.