Theory for the optimal control of time-averaged quantities in quantum systems

Ilia Grigorenko1, Martin E Garcia, K H Bennemann

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik der Freien Universität Berlin, Arnimallee 14, 14195 Berlin, Germany.

Physical Review Letters
|December 18, 2002
PubMed
Summary

We developed a new theory for controlling quantum systems with relaxation. This approach uses a high-order Euler-Lagrange equation to find unique solutions, revealing how relaxation impacts quantum control.

Related Concept Videos

The Uncertainty Principle04:08

The Uncertainty Principle

Werner Heisenberg considered the limits of how accurately one can measure properties of an electron or other microscopic particles. He determined that there is a fundamental limit to how accurately one can measure both a particle’s position and its momentum simultaneously. The more accurate the measurement of the momentum of a particle is known, the less accurate the position at that time is known and vice versa. This is what is now called the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. He mathematically...
The Quantum-Mechanical Model of an Atom02:45

The Quantum-Mechanical Model of an Atom

Shortly after de Broglie published his ideas that the electron in a hydrogen atom could be better thought of as being a circular standing wave instead of a particle moving in quantized circular orbits, Erwin Schrödinger extended de Broglie’s work by deriving what is now known as the Schrödinger equation. When Schrödinger applied his equation to hydrogen-like atoms, he was able to reproduce Bohr’s expression for the energy and, thus, the Rydberg formula governing hydrogen spectra. Schrödinger...
Reaction Mechanisms: The Steady-State Approximation01:26

Reaction Mechanisms: The Steady-State Approximation

The steady-state approximation, also referred to as the quasi-steady-state approximation to differentiate it from a true steady state, is a widely used method for simplifying calculations in complex reaction mechanisms. This approach is particularly useful when dealing with multi-step reactions that involve reverse reactions or several steps, which can significantly increase mathematical complexity and make the reactions nearly unsolvable analytically.The steady-state approximation operates on...
Conservation of Mass in Finite Cotrol Volume01:16

Conservation of Mass in Finite Cotrol Volume

The principle of conservation of mass is a fundamental law in fluid mechanics and is applied using the continuity equation. We apply the concept to a finite control volume to derive the continuity equation.
A system is defined as a collection of unchanging contents, and the conservation of mass states that a system's mass is constant.
Conservation of Energy in Control Volume01:14

Conservation of Energy in Control Volume

Consider a turbine operating under steady-flow conditions. The control volume is drawn around the turbine, with fluid entering at one point and exiting at another. The turbine extracts energy from the fluid, which performs mechanical work (shaft work).
For steady flow systems, the time derivative of the stored energy becomes zero since there is no energy accumulation within the control volume. This simplifies the energy equation to:
Calculation of First-Law Quantities II01:24

Calculation of First-Law Quantities II

The first law of thermodynamics establishes that the change in internal energy of a system is given by ΔU = q + w, where q is the heat exchanged, and w is the work performed. For a perfect gas, both internal energy (U) and enthalpy (H) depend solely on temperature. Consequently, for any change of state, whether reversible or irreversible, the internal energy change is determined by integrating the heat capacity at constant volume, and the enthalpy change by integrating the heat capacity at...