Optimizing stimulated Raman adiabatic passage via Pontryagin’s principle

Abstract We conduct a systematic study to optimize the stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) processes using Pontryagin’s principle. Pontryagin’s principle enables the incorporation of time- and fidelity-based optimization strategies into the traditional adiabatic processes. By incorporating an integral term of the intermediate state population into the cost function of either evolution time or target state fidelity, we can achieve either time-optimal or high-fidelity state transfer while maintaining minimal intermediate state occupation. This optimization method can also be superior to the shortcuts to adiabaticity control in either transfer speed or state fidelity, depending on the chosen cost function. Our method provides a systematic optimization strategy for the STIRAP process. Moreover, this approach is robust against the decoherence effect of the system caused by its surrounding environment, thereby enhancing the overall control performance and stability.