We study the effect of a time-dependent driving field with a high amplitude on a system composed of two coupled qubits (two-level systems). Using the rotating-wave approximation (RWA) makes it possible to find simple conditions for resonant excitation of the four-level system. We find that the resonance conditions include the coupling strength between the qubits. Numerical simulations confirm the qualitative conclusions following from the RWA. To reveal the peculiarities of resonant transitions caused by the quasilevel motion and crossing in a periodic driving field, we use Floquet states, which determine the precise intermediate states of the system. Calculating the quasienergy states of the multilevel system makes it possible to find the transition probabilities and build interference patterns for the transition probabilities. The interference patterns demonstrate the possibility of obtaining various pieces of information about the qubits, since the positions of transition-probability maxima depend on various system parameters, including the coupling strength between the qubits.

• Received 6 February 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.85.184524