Control of quantum dynamics: Concepts, procedures and future prospects

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of the current state of attempts to control quantum phenomena. The control process consists of steering the appropriate observable or wavefunction from the initial state to a final desired state. In the laboratory this is generally done by time-varying laser fields. Special emphasis is given to the conceptual, algorithmic and numerical aspects of the subject. In envisioning further advances along these lines it is very important to explicitly consider the special capabilities of performing massive numbers of control experiments over a short laboratory time. In many respects the field of control over quantum phenomena is a field which is young with the bulk of its developments lying ahead. It is hoped that this chapter provides some stimulus to push the field further.