Approximation of Reachable Set for Coherently Controlled Open Quantum   Systems: Application to Quantum State Engineering
  Precisely characterizing and controlling realistic open quantum systems is one of the most challenging and exciting frontiers in quantum sciences and technologies. In this Letter, we present methods of approximately computing reachable sets for coherently controlled dissipative systems, which is very useful for assessing control performances. We apply this to a two-qubit nuclear magnetic resonance spin system and implement some tasks of quantum control in open systems at a near optimal performance in view of purity: e.g., increasing polarization and preparing pseudo-pure states. Our work shows interesting and promising applications of environment-assisted quantum dynamics. 
Jun Li, Dawei Lu, Zhihuang Luo, Raymond Laflamme, Xinhua Peng, and   Jiangfeng Du
quant-ph