A.A. Agrachev, T. Chambrion, An estimation of the controllability time for single-input systems on compact Lie groups

Title: An estimation of the controllability time for single-input systems on compact groups
Authors: A.A. Agrachev, T. Chambrion
Journal title: ESAIM:COCV
Year: 2006
Issue: 3
Volume: 12
Pages: 409-441
Abstract:

Geometric control theory and Riemannian techniques are used to describe the reachable set at time t of left invariant single-input control systems on semi-simple compact Lie groups and to estimate the minimal time needed to reach any point from identity. This method provides an effective way to give an upper and a lower bound for the minimal time needed to transfer a controlled quantum system with a drift from a given initial position to a given final position. The bounds include diameters of the flag manifolds; the latter are also explicitly computed in the paper.