TITLE: Optimal Control for Entangling Quantum Gates

ABSTRACT: Numerical optimal control techniques are a powerful tool in the design of quantum technology, allowing to determine fundamental limits in steering a quantum system. In the context of entangling two-qubit quantum gates, I will give an overview of the most important numerical techniques, and discuss strenghths and weaknesses of several gradient-free and gradient based optimization methods. I will also show how optimal control can be employed to address the sensitivity of quantum system to classical and quantum noise.