Navigation between quantum states by quantum mirrors

Abstract

We introduce a technique that allows one to connect any two arbitrary (pure or mixed) superposition states of an $N$-state quantum system. The proposed solution to this inverse quantum mechanical problem is analytical, exact, and very compact. The technique uses standard and generalized quantum Householder reflections (QHRs), which require external pulses of precise areas and frequencies. We show that any two pure states can be linked by just a single generalized QHR. The transfer between any two mixed states with the same dynamic invariants (e.g., the same density matrix eigenvalues) requires in general $N$ QHRs. Moreover, we propose recipes for synthesis of arbitrary preselected mixed states using a combination of QHRs and incoherent processes (pure dephasing or spontaneous emission).