Controlling the uncontrollable: Quantum control of open system dynamics

Abstract: Quantum control of an open system is demonstrated employing a thermodynamically consistent master equation. In this framework, the open system dynamics depend on the control protocol due to the dressing of the system by the drive. This interrelation serves as the key element for control. The influence of the external drive is incorporated within the dynamical equation, enabling an indirect control of the dissipation. The control paradigm is displayed by analyzing entropy changing state to state transformations, heating and cooling N-level systems. Following, we study the generation of quantum non-unitary maps via coherent control. These include both reset maps with complete memory loss and single-qubit unitary maps under dissipative conditions.