Notions of controllability for quantum mechanical systems

In this paper, we define four different notions of controllability of physical interest for multilevel quantum mechanical systems. These notions involve the possibility of driving the evolution operator as well as the state of the system. We establish the connections among these different notions as well as methods to verify controllability. The paper also contains results on the relation between the controllability in arbitrary small time of a system varying on a compact transformation Lie group and the corresponding system on the associated homogeneous space. As an application, we prove that, for the system of two interacting spin 1/2 particles, not every state transfer can be obtained in arbitrary small time.Comment: Replaced by a new version which contains the proof

Surviving on Mars: test with LISA simulator

We present the biological results of some experiments performed in the Padua simulators of planetary environments, named LISA, used to study the limit of bacterial life on the planet Mars. The survival of Bacillus strains for some hours in Martian environment is shortly discussed.Comment: To be published on Highlights of Astronomy, Volume 15 XXVIIth IAU General Assembly, August 2009 Ian F Corbett, ed. 2 pages, 1 figur

Smooth optimal control with Floquet theory

This paper describes an approach to construct temporally shaped control pulses that drive a quantum system towards desired properties. A parametrization in terms of periodic functions with pre-defined frequencies permits to realize a smooth, typically simple shape of the pulses; their optimization can be performed based on a variational analysis with Floquet theory. As we show with selected specific examples, this approach permits to control the dynamics of interacting spins, such that gate operations and entanglement dynamics can be implemented with very high accuracy

A General Framework for Recursive Decompositions of Unitary Quantum Evolutions

Decompositions of the unitary group U(n) are useful tools in quantum information theory as they allow one to decompose unitary evolutions into local evolutions and evolutions causing entanglement. Several recursive decompositions have been proposed in the literature to express unitary operators as products of simple operators with properties relevant in entanglement dynamics. In this paper, using the concept of grading of a Lie algebra, we cast these decompositions in a unifying scheme and show how new recursive decompositions can be obtained. In particular, we propose a new recursive decomposition of the unitary operator on $N$ qubits, and we give a numerical example.Comment: 17 pages. To appear in J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. This article replaces our earlier preprint "A Recursive Decomposition of Unitary Operators on N Qubits." The current version provides a general method to generate recursive decompositions of unitary evolutions. Several decompositions obtained before are shown to be as a special case of this general procedur

Environmental Design: IVth International Conference on Environmental Design

This article explores the strategies outlined in the Master Plan aimed at revitalizing a culturally rich and historically significant area in Milan, aligning with European directives addressing climate and environmental concerns. The focus is on fostering dialogue across disciplines to promote climate-adaptive urban design, serving as a platform for research into innovative strategies and cultural models to facilitate the green transformation of urbanized landscapes

Degrees of controllability for quantum systems and applications to atomic systems

Precise definitions for different degrees of controllability for quantum systems are given, and necessary and sufficient conditions are discussed. The results are applied to determine the degree of controllability for various atomic systems with degenerate energy levels and transition frequencies.Comment: 20 pages, IoP LaTeX, revised and expanded versio