Spectral Methods for Quantum Optimal Control: Artificial Boundary Conditions

Abstract: The problem of quantum state preparation is one of the main challenges in achieving the quantum advantage. Furthermore, classically, for multi-level problems, our ability to solve the corresponding quantum optimal control problems is rather limited. The ability of the latter to feed into the former may result in significant progress in quantum computing. To address this challenge, we propose a formulation of quantum optimal control that makes use of artificial boundary conditions for the Schr\"odinger equation in combination with spectral methods. The resulting formulations are well suited for investigating periodic potentials and lend themselves to direct numerical treatment using conventional methods for bounded domains.