Universal scheme for indirect quantum control

TL;DR

This paper introduces a universal scheme for indirect quantum control using a periodically reset quantum actuator, enabling the implementation of various effective Hamiltonians on a target system by increasing the reset frequency.

Contribution

It demonstrates that high-frequency resets of a quantum actuator induce near-unitary dynamics on the system, linking indirect control to direct quantum control methods.

Findings

System dynamics approach unitarity with increased reset frequency

Effective Hamiltonian depends on the reset state of the actuator

Enables implementation of a continuous family of Hamiltonians

Abstract

We consider a bipartite quantum object, composed of a quantum system and a quantum actuator which is periodically reset. We show that the reduced dynamics of the system approaches unitarity as the reset frequency of the actuator is increased. This phenomenon arises because quantum systems interacting for a short time can impact each other faster than they can become significantly entangled. In the high reset-frequency limit, the effective Hamiltonian describing the system's unitary evolution depends on the state to which the actuator is reset. This makes it possible to indirectly implement a continuous family of effective Hamiltonians on one part of a bipartite quantum object, thereby reducing the problem of indirect control (via a quantum actuator) to the well-studied one of direct quantum control.