Optimal Control of Inhomogeneous Ensembles

This dissertation is concerned with formulating the problem and developing methods for the synthesis of optimal, open-loop inputs for large numbers of identically structured dynamical systems that exhibit variation in the values of characteristic parameters across the collection, or ensemble. Our goal is to steer the family of systems from an initial state: or pattern) to a desired state: or pattern) with the same common control while compensating for the inherent dispersion caused by the inhomogeneous parameter values. We compose an optimal ensemble control problem and develop a computational method based on pseudospectral approximations to solve these complex problems. This class of ensemble systems is strongly motivated by natural complications in the control of quantum phenomena, especially in magnetic resonance; however, similar structures are prevalent in a variety of other applications. From another perspective, the same methodology can be used to analyze systems that have uncertainty in the values of characteristic parameters, which are ubiquitous throughout science and engineering.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical and Systems Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2011

Author dc:creator

• Ruths, Justin

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jr-Shin Li

• System Science
• Applied Mathematics
• Quantum physics
• ensemble control
• optimal control
• optimization
• pseudospectral method
• pulse design
• quantum control

Language dc:language

English (en)

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7936/K7T72FHZ

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openscholarship.wustl.edu:etd-1300