Optimal Control Theory for Time-Dependent Quantum Transport

TL;DR

This paper develops an optimal control theory for time-dependent quantum transport, enabling precise and ultra-fast control of current in nanojunctions by designing tailored driving fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimal control framework for quantum transport, allowing the design of time-dependent fields to steer current along desired patterns.

Findings

The theory effectively designs driving fields for targeted current control.

It derives equations of motion for efficient search of optimal control fields.

Demonstrates potential for ultra-fast, precise quantum transport control.

Abstract

Optical techniques have been employed to coherently control the quantum transport through nanojunctions. Conventional works on optical control of quantum transport usually applied a tailored electrical pulses to perform specific tasks. In this work, an opposite way is employed and a time-dependent driving field is searched to force the system behave in desired pattern. In order to achieve the goal, an optimal control theory for time-dependent quantum transport is developed. The theory provides a theoretical tool for the design of driving field to control the transient current through a nano junction along a prescribed pattern. The optimal control field is searched by minimizing a control functional. Corresponding equations of motions are derived accordingly to efficiently search for the optimal control field. The development of optimal control theory for time-dependent quantum transport enables the ultra-fast and precise control of current by electrical field.