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

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics eBooks

Chapter 4: Controllability of quantum systems

Alfio Borzı̀, Gabriele Ciaramella, M. Sprengel

Published Jul 6, 2017• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss exact-controllability problems for quantum systems. Our main focus is on quantum models whose state can be described by a finite number of degrees of freedom. However, a discussion on controllability results for infinite-dimensional quantum models is presented in the last section of this chapter.
DOI
10.1137/1.9781611974843.ch4

Related papers

The controllability of infinite quantum systems

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

Quantum phenomena of interest in connection with computation and communication often deal with transfers between eigenstates. For systems having only a finite number of states, the quantum evolution equation is finite-dimensional and the results on controllability on Lie groups as worked out decades ago provide most of what is needed in so far as controllability of dissipationless systems is concerned. However, for infinite-dimensional evolution of quantum systems, many difficulties, both conceptual and technical, remain. In this paper we organize some recent results from the physics literature in control theoretic terms and emphasize the type of analysis needed to go beyond what basic differential geometry can provide. In particular, we analyze from a controllability point of view the important results of Law and Eberly, and discuss the problem of controllability of quantum systems subject to the constraint that the trajectories must lie in pre-defined subspaces. The study of this problem is motivated by recent work on the design of quantum computers that avoid loss of coherence by operating in decoherence free subspaces.

IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC)•Jul 8, 2004•17 citations

Smooth controllability of infinite-dimensional quantum-mechanical systems

Re-Bing Wu, Tzyh‐Jong Tarn, Chunwen Li

Manipulation of infinite-dimensional quantum systems is important to controlling complex quantum dynamics with many practical physical and chemical backgrounds. In this paper, a general investigation is casted to the controllability problem of quantum systems evolving on infinite-dimensional manifolds. Recognizing that such problems are related with infinite-dimensional controllability algebras, we introduce an algebraic mathematical framework to describe quantum control systems possessing such controllability algebras. Then we present the concept of smooth controllability on infinite-dimensional manifolds, and draw the main result on approximate strong smooth controllability. This is a nontrivial extension of the existing controllability results based on the analysis over finite-dimensional vector spaces to analysis over infinite-dimensional manifolds. It also opens up many interesting problems for future studies.

arXiv:quant-ph/0505063•Physical Review A•Jan 31, 2006•51 citations

Quantum Mechanics. Algebraic Structure and States

Franco Strocchi

We briefly review the basic structure of quantum mechanics (QM) with the aim of covering both the case of systems with a finite number of degrees of freedom (ordinary QM) as well as the case of systems with an infinite number of degrees of freedom (briefly infinite systems ).

Theoretical and mathematical physics•Jan 1, 2021•0 citations

Chapter 5: Discretization schemes

Alfio Borzı̀, Gabriele Ciaramella, M. Sprengel

In this chapter we discuss discretization schemes for the quantum models that are considered in this book. While we cannot provide an extensive discussion of the quite large number of approximation methods developed in computational mathematics and physics to solve quantum problems, we aim at illustrating those computational features that discretization schemes for controlled quantum systems should have in order to perform efficient simulation and compute accurate controls.

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics eBooks•Jul 6, 2017•0 citations

Decoherence of solid-state qubits

Pieter Kok, Brendon W. Lovett

Solid-state systems, by their very nature, have a vast number of different possible quantum degrees of freedom. In Chapter 11, we saw that some of these degrees of freedom make good qubits. However, there are plenty more which are less suitable, since they cannot easily be localized and externally controlled. Once the qubit has been chosen, it is important to think about how it interacts with the other, uncontrolled quantum excitations in its environment. Such an interaction leads to unpredictable behaviour and can cause decoherence – the irretrievable loss of quantum information from the qubit – and this will be the topic of this chapter. The most obvious decoherence mechanism for any optical manipulation scheme is the spontaneous emission of photons. The theory behind this follows analogously from the theory we discussed in Chapter 7, with a suitable definition of a transition dipole for the relevant transitions. However, solid-state systems bring with them lattice vibrations, or phonons, which have no direct atomic analogue. We will therefore focus on phonons in this chapter, first discussing how we model them, and second how they interact with the electron-based qubit that we discussed in the last chapter. Later, we will see how this leads to a loss of coherence, and how optical methods can be used to slow the rate of coherence loss. Phonon interactions are complex and not easy to model exactly, but we will show that with certain approximations very successful theories can be developed.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Apr 22, 2010•0 citations

Degrees of controllability for quantum systems and application to atomic systems

S. G. Schirmer, A. I. Solomon, J V Leahy

Precise definitions for different degrees of controllability for quantum systems are given, and necessary and sufficient conditions for each type of controllability are discussed. The results are applied to determine the degree of controllability for various atomic systems with degenerate energy levels and transition frequencies.

arXiv:quant-ph/0108114•Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Apr 26, 2002•83 citations
Quantum phenomena of interest in connection with computation and communication often deal with transfers between eigenstates. For systems having only a finite number of states, the quantum evolution equation is finite-dimensional and the results on controllability on Lie groups as worked out decades ago provide most of what is needed in so far as controllability of dissipationless systems is concerned. However, for infinite-dimensional evolution of quantum systems, many difficulties, both conceptual and technical, remain. In this paper we organize some recent results from the physics literature in control theoretic terms and emphasize the type of analysis needed to go beyond what basic differential geometry can provide. In particular, we analyze from a controllability point of view the important results of Law and Eberly, and discuss the problem of controllability of quantum systems subject to the constraint that the trajectories must lie in pre-defined subspaces. The study of this problem is motivated by recent work on the design of quantum computers that avoid loss of coherence by operating in decoherence free subspaces.
Manipulation of infinite-dimensional quantum systems is important to controlling complex quantum dynamics with many practical physical and chemical backgrounds. In this paper, a general investigation is casted to the controllability problem of quantum systems evolving on infinite-dimensional manifolds. Recognizing that such problems are related with infinite-dimensional controllability algebras, we introduce an algebraic mathematical framework to describe quantum control systems possessing such controllability algebras. Then we present the concept of smooth controllability on infinite-dimensional manifolds, and draw the main result on approximate strong smooth controllability. This is a nontrivial extension of the existing controllability results based on the analysis over finite-dimensional vector spaces to analysis over infinite-dimensional manifolds. It also opens up many interesting problems for future studies.
Solid-state systems, by their very nature, have a vast number of different possible quantum degrees of freedom. In Chapter 11, we saw that some of these degrees of freedom make good qubits. However, there are plenty more which are less suitable, since they cannot easily be localized and externally controlled. Once the qubit has been chosen, it is important to think about how it interacts with the other, uncontrolled quantum excitations in its environment. Such an interaction leads to unpredictable behaviour and can cause decoherence – the irretrievable loss of quantum information from the qubit – and this will be the topic of this chapter. The most obvious decoherence mechanism for any optical manipulation scheme is the spontaneous emission of photons. The theory behind this follows analogously from the theory we discussed in Chapter 7, with a suitable definition of a transition dipole for the relevant transitions. However, solid-state systems bring with them lattice vibrations, or phonons, which have no direct atomic analogue. We will therefore focus on phonons in this chapter, first discussing how we model them, and second how they interact with the electron-based qubit that we discussed in the last chapter. Later, we will see how this leads to a loss of coherence, and how optical methods can be used to slow the rate of coherence loss. Phonon interactions are complex and not easy to model exactly, but we will show that with certain approximations very successful theories can be developed.