Optimization of short coherent control pulses

Abstract

The coherent control of a small quantum system is considered. For a two-level system coupled to an arbitrary bath we consider a pulse of finite duration. We derive the leading and the next-leading order corrections to the evolution operator due to the noncommutation of the pulse and the bath Hamiltonian. The conditions are computed that make the leading corrections vanish. The pulse shapes optimized in this way are given for $\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{2}$ pulses.