Introduction to Quantum Control and Dynamics

by Domenico D'Alessandro

The introduction of control theory in quantum mechanics has created a rich, new interdisciplinary scientific field, which is producing novel insight into important theoretical questions at the heart of quantum physics. Exploring this emerging subject, Introduction to Quantum Control and Dynamics presents the mathematical concepts and fundamental physics behind the analysis and control of quantum dynamics, emphasizing the application of Lie algebra and Lie group theory. To advantage students, instructors and practitioners, and since the field is highly interdisciplinary, this book presents an introduction with all the basic notions in the same place. The field has seen a large development in parallel with the neighboring fields of quantum information, computation and communication. The author has maintained an introductory level to encourage course use. After introducing the basics of quantum mechanics, the book derives a class of models for quantum control systems from fundamental physics. It examines the controllability and observability of quantum systems and the related problem of quantum state determination and measurement. The author also uses Lie group decompositions as tools to analyze dynamics and to design control algorithms. In addition, he describes various other control methods and discusses topics in quantum information theory that include entanglement and entanglement dynamics. Changes to the New Armed with the basics of quantum control and dynamics, readers will invariably use this interdisciplinary knowledge in their mathematics, physics and engineering work.

416 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 2007

Reviews

[Brett Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the latest treatment of this topic when this book came out two years ago, I had high hopes for it in the summer of 2021. Hot off the press and at full list price (I never pay list), for two years I dug into the intricate nuances of Lie algebras and Lie groups ranging in detail from fabulous to excruciating, ending the experience with little to show for it. Based on reviews of the first edition, I anticipated an engineering treatment with practical applicability. Instead, as a mathematician—not a more practical scientist or an even more practical engineer—the author’s focus is on the beauty of his math, and beautiful it can be. Received in July of ’21, the copywrite says 2022. I presumed that meant the entire book was available for copy and paste to claim as one’s own as it did not yet exist. :) Of course, this is merely one of those little examples of our post-truth era when even a copyright date is fake (like TOM CLANCY on the cover of his newest novels, though he’s been dead for ten years.) Also, as a CRC text, publisher of the giant 3000-page Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, which I’ve had for 20 years with its impermeable steel cover, it never occurred to me this 400-page hardbound would come free from its pages in 2 weeks of casual use. Now, a mass of tape and paper. For CRC Press, a minus-5-star rating for their publishing prowess.