Discrete-valued-pulse optimal control algorithms: Application to spin systems

This article is aimed at extending the framework of optimal control techniques to the situation where the control field values are restricted to a finite set. We propose generalizations of the standard GRAPE algorithm suited to this constraint. We test the validity and the efficiency of this approach for the inversion of an inhomogeneous ensemble of spin systems with different offset frequencies. It is shown that a remarkable efficiency can be achieved even for a very limited number of discrete values. Some applications in nuclear magnetic resonance are discussed.