Structure of optimal policies in quantum control

Abstract

Using the Pontryagin maximum principle, the generic structure of optimal policies is deduced for typical quantum control tasks involving coherent lasers, magnetic fields and reservoir engineering. In addition, the periodic optimization is considered for the first time in view of prospective applications. We proved that nearly all optimal policies are actively constrained by technical bounds on control parameter but reduce to entirely bang-bang sequences only in special cases, such as the environmental control by random collisions. The results allow to arguably refute two generally accepted and concurring conjectures regarding the structure of optimal controls.