Optimal control of a three-level quantum system by laser fields plus von Neumann measurements

We investigate the control of a three-level quantum system by laser fields assisted by von Neumann measurements. We consider a system which is not completely controllable by unitary evolution but which becomes controllable if particular measurements are used. The optimal control is defined from a cost functional which takes into account the measurements. The cost corresponds either to the minimization of the duration of the control or to the minimization of the energy of the laser field. Using the Pontryagin maximum principle, we determine the optimal control which steers the system from a given initial state toward a desired target state. This allows one to determine which observable has to be chosen for the measurement and the time at which the measurement has to be performed.