QUCON: A fast Krylov–Newton code for dipole quantum control problems Original Research Article

A computer package (QUCON) is presented aimed at the solution of dipole quantum optimal control problems. This MATLAB package is based on a recently developed computational strategy based on a globalized reduced Hessian Krylov–Newton scheme and a discretize-before-optimize approach. To discretize the governing Schrödinger model a norm-preserving modified Crank–Nicolson scheme is used. The discretize-before-optimize criteria allows the formulation of accurate gradients and a symmetric Hessian. Robustness of the resulting Newton approach is guaranteed using a robust linesearch procedure. Results of experiments demonstrate that the QUCON code is able to provide fast and accurate controls for high-energy state transitions.