Optimal control of curve-crossing systems

Abstract

Controlling curve‐crossing dynamics of a model diatomic system between two dissociative electronic states through radiative coupling with a third bound state is examined. Starting with an initial wave packet on one of the crossing surfaces, optimal control theory is used to design the radiative field to either enhance or eliminate (at our choice) selectivity of one product channel over another. A new optimization procedure is introduced which filters out dc and low frequency components from the optimal field, but still allows for resonant transitions to a third bound state. This procedure forces the fields to employ interesting physical mechanisms involving the bound state in order to control the electronic branching ratios rather than directly negating or enhancing the diabatic coupling term in the Hamiltonian. A new propagation scheme for a multisurface Hamiltonian using Pauli matrices is also presented.