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

Physical Review A

Engineering quantum dynamics

Seth Lloyd, Lorenza Viola

Published Dec 10, 2001• 197 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The ability to perform measurements on a quantum system, combined with the ability to feed back the measurement results via coherent control, allows one to control the system to follow any desired coherent or incoherent quantum dynamics. Such universal dynamical control can be achieved, in principle, through the repeated application of only two coherent control operations and a simple ``Yes-No'' measurement. As a consequence, a quantum computer can simulate an arbitrary open-system dynamics using just one qubit more than required to simulate closed-system dynamics.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.65.010101

Related papers

Control of open quantum systems dynamics

Seth Lloyd, Lorenza Viola

We investigate the control resources needed to effect arbitrary quantum dynamics. We show that the ability to perform measurements on a quantum system, combined with the ability to feed back the measurement results via coherent control, allows one to control the system to follow any desired open-system evolution. Such universal control can be achieved, in principle, through the repeated application of only two coherent control operations and a simple ``Yes-No'' measurement.

arXiv:quant-ph/0008101•Aug 24, 2000•3 citations

Introduction to quantum control: From basic concepts to applications in quantum technologies

Christiane P. Koch

Quantum control refers to our ability to manipulate quantum systems. This tutorial-style chapter focuses on the use of classical electromagnetic fields to steer the system dynamics. In this approach, the quantum nature of the control stems solely from the underlying dynamics, through the exploitation of destructive and constructive interference to reach the control target. We first discuss two basic control principles -- coherent control which uses manipulation in frequency or time to design these interferences, and adiabatic following where access to the control target is enabled by tracking the time-dependent ground state. For complex control targets and system dynamics that exceed the scope of these basic principles, optimal control theory provides a powerful suite of tools to design the necessary protocols. A key consideration for the successful application of optimal control theory is a proper choice of the optimization functional. All concepts are illustrated using recent work from my research group, with a focus on controlling atoms and superconducting qubits. The chapter concludes with an outlook on integrating coherent control with engineered dissipation and a discussion of open questions in the field.

quant-pharXiv:2512.04990•Dec 5, 2025•0 citations

Control of Open Quantum Dynamical Systems

Ming Zhang, Wei Kang Zhu, Dewen Hu

This paper demonstrates that the decoherence-free subsystem of open quantum dynamical system is open-loop controllable if the suitable coherent controls are permitted. This result is in marked contrast to the fact that open quantum dynamical systems are not open-loop controllable. In other words, combining the decoherence-free subsystem condition with coherent control on the open quantum dynamical systems will enhance the ability to suppress the decoherence and to manipulate open quantum dynamical systems.

Chinese Control Conference (CCC)•Aug 1, 2006•0 citations

Selected topics in dynamics and control of open quantum systems

Alexander Nikolaevich Pechen

This work reviews several topics in the non-equilibrium dynamics and control of open quantum systems, including the dynamics of the system and the environment in the weak coupling and low density regimes, incoherent control, production of universal Kraus maps and engineering of arbitrary pure and mixed quantum states.

P-Adic Numbers Ultrametric Analysis and Applications•Aug 2, 2011•0 citations

Engineering arbitrary pure and mixed quantum states

Alexander Nikolaevich Pechen

Controlled manipulation by atomic- and molecular-scale quantum systems has attracted a lot of research attention in recent years. A fundamental problem is to provide deterministic methods for controlled engineering of arbitrary quantum states. This work proposes a deterministic method for engineering arbitrary pure and mixed states of a wide class of quantum systems. The method exploits a special combination of incoherent and coherent controls (incoherent and coherent radiation) and has two properties which are specifically important for manipulating by quantum systems: it realizes the strongest possible degree of their state control, complete density matrix controllability, meaning the ability to steer arbitrary pure and mixed initial states into any desired pure or mixed final state, and it is all-to-one, such that each particular control transfers all initial system states into one target state.

arXiv:1210.2281•Physical Review A•Oct 6, 2011•63 citations

Focus on coherent control of complex quantum systems

K. Birgitta Whaley, Gerard J Milburn

The rapid growth of quantum information sciences over the past few decades has fueled a corresponding rise in high profile applications in fields such as metrology, sensors, spintronics, and attosecond dynamics, in addition to quantum information processing. Realizing this potential of today's quantum science and the novel technologies based on this requires a high degree of coherent control of quantum systems. While early efforts in systematizing methods for high fidelity quantum control focused on isolated or closed quantum systems, recent advances in experimental design, measurement and monitoring, have stimulated both need and interest in the control of complex or large scale quantum systems that may also be coupled to an interactive environment or reservoir. This focus issue brings together new theoretical and experimental work addressing the formulation and implementation of quantum control for a broad range of applications in quantum science and technology today.

New Journal of Physics•Oct 14, 2015•10 citations
The ability to perform measurements on a quantum system, combined with the ability to feed back the measurement results via coherent control, allows one to control the system to follow any desired coherent or incoherent quantum dynamics. Such universal dynamical control can be achieved, in principle, through the repeated application of only two coherent control operations and a simple ``Yes-No'' measurement. As a consequence, a quantum computer can simulate an arbitrary open-system dynamics using just one qubit more than required to simulate closed-system dynamics.
Quantum control refers to our ability to manipulate quantum systems. This tutorial-style chapter focuses on the use of classical electromagnetic fields to steer the system dynamics. In this approach, the quantum nature of the control stems solely from the underlying dynamics, through the exploitation of destructive and constructive interference to reach the control target. We first discuss two basic control principles -- coherent control which uses manipulation in frequency or time to design these interferences, and adiabatic following where access to the control target is enabled by tracking the time-dependent ground state. For complex control targets and system dynamics that exceed the scope of these basic principles, optimal control theory provides a powerful suite of tools to design the necessary protocols. A key consideration for the successful application of optimal control theory is a proper choice of the optimization functional. All concepts are illustrated using recent work from my research group, with a focus on controlling atoms and superconducting qubits. The chapter concludes with an outlook on integrating coherent control with engineered dissipation and a discussion of open questions in the field.
This paper demonstrates that the decoherence-free subsystem of open quantum dynamical system is open-loop controllable if the suitable coherent controls are permitted. This result is in marked contrast to the fact that open quantum dynamical systems are not open-loop controllable. In other words, combining the decoherence-free subsystem condition with coherent control on the open quantum dynamical systems will enhance the ability to suppress the decoherence and to manipulate open quantum dynamical systems.
Controlled manipulation by atomic- and molecular-scale quantum systems has attracted a lot of research attention in recent years. A fundamental problem is to provide deterministic methods for controlled engineering of arbitrary quantum states. This work proposes a deterministic method for engineering arbitrary pure and mixed states of a wide class of quantum systems. The method exploits a special combination of incoherent and coherent controls (incoherent and coherent radiation) and has two properties which are specifically important for manipulating by quantum systems: it realizes the strongest possible degree of their state control, complete density matrix controllability, meaning the ability to steer arbitrary pure and mixed initial states into any desired pure or mixed final state, and it is all-to-one, such that each particular control transfers all initial system states into one target state.
The rapid growth of quantum information sciences over the past few decades has fueled a corresponding rise in high profile applications in fields such as metrology, sensors, spintronics, and attosecond dynamics, in addition to quantum information processing. Realizing this potential of today's quantum science and the novel technologies based on this requires a high degree of coherent control of quantum systems. While early efforts in systematizing methods for high fidelity quantum control focused on isolated or closed quantum systems, recent advances in experimental design, measurement and monitoring, have stimulated both need and interest in the control of complex or large scale quantum systems that may also be coupled to an interactive environment or reservoir. This focus issue brings together new theoretical and experimental work addressing the formulation and implementation of quantum control for a broad range of applications in quantum science and technology today.