Illustrating the Geometry of Coherently Controlled Quantum Channels

Abstract: We extend standard Markovian open quantum systems (quantum channels) by allowing for Hamiltonian controls and elucidate their geometry in terms of Lie semigroups. For standard dissipative interactions with the environment and different coherent controls, we particularly specify the tangent cones (Lie wedges) of the respective Lie semigroups of quantum channels. These cones are the counterpart of the infinitesimal generator of a single one-parameter semigroup. They comprise all directions the underlying open quantum system can be steered to and thus give insight into the geometry of controlled open quantum dynamics. Such a differential characterisation is highly valuable for approximating reachable sets of given initial quantum states in a plethora of experimental implementations.