Adaptive Feedback Control of Molecular Motion

Abstract

Control of molecular-scale events, including chemical reactions, has been a long sought-after goal. A central problem is to design control fields such that particular molecular objectives are achieved while suppressing undesirable processes. The techniques of optimal control theory within quantum mechanics provides the framework for carrying out the designs. By replacing the model of the molecule in the computer with the actual molecule in the laboratory, various design problems can be overcome. In this fashion, the molecule acts as an analog computer, to solve its own dynamical equations in appropriate pump-probe experiments performed iteratively, and guided by a learning algorithm to ultimately achieve the desired molecular control objective. The practicality of this approach and some future directions of the field will also be discussed.