Comment on "Are There Traps in Quantum Control Landscapes?"

TL;DR

This paper critiques a recent claim about traps in quantum control landscapes, clarifying that the existence of such critical points is not as previously suggested, impacting the understanding of quantum control optimization.

Contribution

The authors refute recent assertions claiming the existence of trapping critical points in quantum control landscapes, clarifying misconceptions in the literature.

Findings

The paper shows the previous claims about traps are inaccurate.

It clarifies the nature of critical points in quantum control landscapes.

The work impacts how quantum control optimization is understood.

Abstract

Many quantum control problems are formulated as a search for an optimal field that maximizes a physical objective. This search is performed over a landscape defined as the objective as a function of the control field. A recent Letter [A. N. Pechen and D. J. Tannor, Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 120402 (2011)] asserts that the existence of special landscape critical points (CPs) with trapping characteristics is "contrary to recent claims in the literature" and "can have profound implications for both theoretical and experimental quantum control studies." We show here that these assertions are inaccurate and misleading.