Abstract
It is control that turns scientific knowledge into useful technology: in physics and engineering it provides a systematic way for driving a system from a given initial state into a desired target state with minimized expenditure of energy and resources -- as famously applied in the Apollo programme. As one of the cornerstones for enabling quantum technologies, optimal quantum control keeps evolving and expanding into areas as diverse as quantum-enhanced sensing, manipulation of single spins, photons, or atoms, optical spectroscopy, photochemistry, magnetic resonance (spectroscopy as well as medical imaging), quantum information processing and quantum simulation. --- Here state-of-the-art quantum control techniques are reviewed and put into perspective by a consortium uniting expertise in optimal control theory and applications to spectroscopy, imaging, quantum dynamics of closed and open systems. We address key challenges and sketch a roadmap to future developments.
Highlights
It is control that turns scientific knowledge into technology
Quantum optimal control is a part of the effort to engineer quantum technologies from the bottom up, and many striking examples of surprising and non-intuitive – but extremely efficient and robust – quantum control techniques have been discovered in recent years
In a similar way to the first generation of quantum-based technologies that brought forward semiconductor transistors, lasers, magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, the currently emerging second generation of quantum technologies based on superposition, entanglement and many-body quantum states are expected to generate new and disruptive technologies – spintronic devices, quantum metrology, quantum computing technology, as well as novel instruments for elucidating chemical reaction dynamics and material properties
Summary
It is control that turns scientific knowledge into technology. The general goal of quantum control is to manipulate dynamical processes at the atomic or molecular scale, typically using external electromagnetic fields. Advancing quantum control requires bringing together researchers from different application areas to forge a community, creating a common language and identifying common challenges. Further development of this field of research offers many beneficial effects for today’s and tomorrow’s society, related to health, secure communication, accurate navigation systems, efficient harvesting of solar power, the search for resources, efficient energy storage and transportation, quantum machines, precision sensing and monitoring of the environment. The paper is organized as follows: Section 2 is focussed on mathematical optimal control theory It is followed by a description of the state of the art, as well as mid-and long-term perspectives for quantum control applications in atomic, molecular, and chemical physics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
