Quantum control experiments as a testbed for evolutionary multi-objective algorithms

• Published in: Genetic programming and evolvable machines Vol. 13; no. 4; pp. 445 - 491
• Main Authors: Shir, Ofer M., Roslund, Jonathan, Leghtas, Zaki, Rabitz, Herschel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Artificial Intelligence; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Compilers; Computer Science; Electrical Engineering; Interpreters; Programming Languages; Programming Techniques; Software Engineering/Programming and Operating Systems; Diffraction grating; Multi-objective evolution strategies; Experimental Pareto optimization; Quantum control experiments; Covariance matrix adaptation; Robustness to noise
• ISSN: 1389-2576; 1573-7632
• DOI: 10.1007/s10710-012-9164-7

Experimental multi-objective Quantum Control is an emerging topic within the broad physics and chemistry applications domain of controlling quantum phenomena. This realm offers cutting edge ultrafast laser laboratory applications, which pose multiple objectives, noise, and possibly constraints on the high-dimensional search. In this study we introduce the topic of multi-observable quantum control (MOQC), and consider specific systems to be Pareto optimized subject to uncertainty, either experimentally or by means of simulated systems. The latter include a family of mathematical test-functions with a practical link to MOQC experiments, which are introduced here for the first time. We investigate the behavior of the multi-objective version of the covariance aatrix adaptation evolution strategy (MO-CMA-ES) and assess its performance on computer simulations as well as on laboratory closed-loop experiments. Overall, we propose a comprehensive study on experimental evolutionary Pareto optimization in high-dimensional continuous domains, draw some practical conclusions concerning the impact of fitness disturbance on algorithmic behavior, and raise several theoretical issues in the broad evolutionary multi-objective context.