Generation of arbitrary quantum states in cavity-atom systems with a three-level ancilla

Abstract

We generalized the seminal work of Law&Eberly, and propose a protocol to generate arbitrary quantum states with a three-level atom as an ancilla in a more efficient manner. This protocol moves two excitations in parallel in each control step, thus reducing the number of evolution steps by half. Full analytical expressions for the control field strengths and timings are derived. The system dynamics is exposed to less chance of error accumulation in the timing and amplitudes of the control fields, and quantitative study in the context of the quantum speed limit is also considered.