Revisiting Quantum Optimal Control Theory: New Insights for the Canonical Solutions

Abstract: In this study, we present a revision of the Quantum Optimal Control Theory (QOCT) originally proposed by Rabitz et al (Phys. Rev. A 37, 49504964 (1988)), which has broad applications in physical and chemical physics. First, we identify the QOCT equations as the Euler-Lagrange equations of the functional associated to the control scheme. In this framework we prove that the extremal functions found by Rabitz are not continuous, as it was claimed in previous works. Indeed, we show that the costate is discontinuous and vanishes after the measurement time. In contrast, we demonstrate that the driving field is continuous. We also identify a new set of continuous solutions to the QOCT. Overall, our work provides a significant contribution to the QOCT theory, promoting a better understanding of the mathematical solutions and offering potential new directions for optimal control strategies.