Time-optimal control with finite bandwidth

Abstract

Optimal control theory provides recipes to achieve quantum operations with high fidelity and speed, as required in quantum technologies such as quantum sensing and computation. While technical advances have achieved the ultrastrong driving regime in many physical systems, these capabilities have yet to be fully exploited for the precise control of quantum systems, as other limitations, such as the generation of higher harmonics or the finite bandwidth of the control fields, prevent the implementation of theoretical time-optimal control. Here we present a method to achieve time-optimal control of qubit systems that can take advantage of fast driving beyond the rotating wave approximation. We exploit results from optimal control theory to design driving protocols that can be implemented with realistic, finite-bandwidth control and we find a relationship between bandwidth limitations and achievable control fidelity.