We construct optimized implementations of the CNOT and other universal
two-qubit gates that, unlike many of the previously proposed protocols, are
carried out in a single step. The new protocols require tunable inter-qubit
couplings but, in return, show a significant improvements in the quality of
gate operations. Our optimization procedure can be further extended to the
combinations of elementary two-qubit as well as irreducible many-qubit gates.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure