Quantum Information,
Dynamics and Control

Looking for a Thesis Project with our Group?

We seek interested, committed and enthusiastic students for theses and research training projects. All the proposed projects are research oriented and aim to develop new ideas and results while introducing students to the methods of high-level research activities. At the bottom of the page you can find a list of previous projects and publications that followed from those works.

We propose projects that are a combination of theoretical and numerical methods. Application-oriented projects can be devised in collaboration with other groups.

Thesis projects can be tailored to the candidate’s interests and future career, with the possibility to work fully or partially abroad (e.g. Sweden, USA, France, …).

The proposed themes are at the interface of control, probabilistic models, optimization, physics and (but not necessarily)… Quantum Theory and its applications!

Classical themes

  • Symmetries and Linear Systems Theory (control, math)
  • Structural Output Controllability (control, networks, math)
  • Positive systems, and positive model reduction (system theory, math)
  • Tensor network methods (linear algebra, algorithms, control)
  • Metastability and Pseudospectra (linear algebra, dynamical systems, control)
  • Mpemba effect: a control theoretic viewpoint (physics, control, system theory)
  • Koopman operators and their use in control systems (control, math)

Quantum themes

(general areas, to be tailored to the student’s interest)

  • Quantum control and Quantum transport
  • Quantum error correction
  • Simulation of quantum systems and algorithms (both theoretical and computational)
  • Quantum machine learning

Former thesis students and their publications:

Many past students published their work in high-level scientific Journals.

  • Marco Cortese, 2023. New approaches to positive realizations and model reduction for linear systems. Publication submitted.
  • Marco Peruzzo, 2023. Master thesis on Controllability on networks Influence of structure and Memory.
    • Exploring the Impact of Memory on Network Controllability. M. Peruzzo, G. Baggio and F. Ticozzi, IEEE European Control Conference 2024 .
  • Miguel Casanova, 2023. Master thesis on Quantum error correction via Riemannian optimization. Publication in preparation.
  • Manuel Guatto, 2023. Master thesis on Reinforcement Learning for robust quantum state stabilization.
    • Improving robustness of quantum feedback control with reinforcement learning [online]
  • Linda Greggio, 2022. Master thesis on Asymptotic statistics of repeated indirect quantum measurements. Publication in progress.
  • Luca Gasparini, 2022. Master thesis on Sliding Mode Control for Robotic Arms. Publication in preparation.
  • Tommaso Grigoletto, 2020. Master thesis on Measurement-based switching control for quantum systems.
    • Stabilization Via Feedback Switching for Quantum Stochastic Dynamics. T. Grigoletto, F.Ticozzi. IEEE Control Systems Letters, 2021. [online]
  • Angela Fontan, 2016. Master Thesis on non-trivial equilibria of cooperative nonlinear dynamics. Co-advised with Prof. Altafini, Linkoping University, Sweden, where now Angela is doing her Ph.D.
  • Luca Zuccato, 2015. Master Thesis on von Neumann’s alternating projection theorem, extensions and applications.
    • Alternating Projections Methods for Discrete-time Stabilization of Quantum States. F. Ticozzi, L. Zuccato, P. D. Johnson, L. Viola  IEEE T.A.C., 2017. [preprint]
  • Antonio Orvieto, 2015. Bachelor Thesis on quantum probability approaches to quantum mechanics and its fundamental issues.
  • Luca Tosetto, 2014. Master Thesis on Model-predictive control: from theory to applications in driving simulators.
  • Ilaria Panardo, 2014. Master Thesis on Periodic system in control theory and applications.
  • Precious Ugo Abara, 2014. Master Thesis on Stability of nonlinear network dynamics. Co-advised with Prof. Altafini, Linkoping University, Sweden.
    • Spectral conditions for existence, uniqueness and stability of positive equilibria for a class of nonlinear cooperative systems. P. Ugo Abara, F. Ticozzi, C. Altafini. IEEE T.A.C.,  2016.
    • Existence and stability properties of positive equilibria for a class of nonlinear cooperative systems. P. Ugo Abara, F. Ticozzi, C. Altafini. 54th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control proceedings, 2015.
  • Pierre Scaramuzza, 2014. Master Thesis on Switching methods for controlled quantum dynamics. Related publications: Switching Quantum Dynamics for Fast Stabilization.
    • Switching quantum dynamics for fast stabilization. P. Scaramuzza, F. Ticozzi. Physical Review A, 91, 062314,  2015. [preprint] [online]
    • Switching quantum dynamics for fast preparation of pure states. P. Scaramuzza, F. Ticozzi. 54th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control proceedings, 2015.
  • Giuseppe Ilario Cirillo, 2014. Master Thesis on Invariance and Convergence for Discrete-Time Quantum Dynamical Semigroups.
    • Decompositions of Hilbert Spaces, Stability Analysis and Convergence Probabilities for Discrete-Time Quantum Dynamical Semigroups. G. I. Cirillo, F. Ticozzi. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, 48(8):085302, 2015. [preprint][online]
  • Alberto Dalla Libera, 2012. Bachelor Thesis on quantum walks.
  • Marco Gazzola, 2012. Bachelor Thesis on dissipative systems and feedback interconnections.
  • Giacomo Baggio, 2011. Bachelor Thesis, research project on discrete-time feedback for state stabilization.
    • Quantum State Preparation by Controlled Dissipation in Finite Time: From Classical to Quantum Controllers G. Baggio, F. Ticozzi and L. Viola, 51st IEEE Conference on Decision and Control proceedings, 2012. [preprint]
  • Stefano Patron, 2011. Bachelor Thesis, research project on conditions for convergence in consensus: an analysis of limit cases.
  • Riccardo Lucchese, 2010. Bachelor Thesis, research project on speed of convergence of quantum dynamical semigroups.
    • Hamiltonian Control of Quantum Dynamical Semigroups: Stabilization and Convergence Speed. F. Ticozzi, R. Lucchese, P. Cappellaro, and L. Viola, IEEE Transactions of Automatic Control, 57(8): 1931-1944, 2012.  [online]  [preprint]
    • Computing and controlling the convergence speed of a quantum dynamical semigroup. R. Lucchese and F. Ticozzi, IEEE CDC 2010 conference proceedings, 3022-3027, Dec. 2010. [online]
  • Francesco Guarato, 2008 Master Thesis, research project on Lyapunov analysis of discrete-time feedback control of quantum systems, co-advised with Prof. M. Pavon.
  • Enrico Avventi, 2005 Master Thesis, research project on Hamiltonian compensation of quantum jumps, co-advised with Prof. M. Pavon and Prof. A. Ferrante.