In this article, we study optimal control of dynamics of a linear chain of three spin $1∕2$, weakly coupled with unequal Ising couplings. We address the problem of time-optimal synthesis of multiple spin quantum coherences. We derive time-optimal pulse sequences for creating desired spin order by computing geodesics on a sphere under a special metric. The solution to the geodesic equation is related to the nonlinear oscillator equation and the minimum time to create multiple spin order can be expressed in terms of an elliptic integral. These techniques are used for efficient creation of multiple spin coherences in Ising spin chains with unequal couplings.

• Received 29 September 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.77.032340