Dr Sophie Shermer

Associate Professor

Physics

+44 (0) 1792 602286

s.schirmer@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 505
Fifth Floor
Vivian Building
Singleton Campus

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5530-7750

About

Associate Professor Sophie Shermer is a member of the Physics Department at Swansea University.

Areas Of Expertise

quantum control
modelling and simulation
optimization and control
spin dynamics
medical imaging (MRI)

Publications

Research Highlights

O’Neil, S., Langbein, F., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2023). Robustness of energy landscape controllers for spin rings under coherent excitation transport. Research Directions: Quantum Technologies, 1
https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2023.5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68719
O’Neil, S., Langbein, F., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2023). Robustness of energy landscape control to dephasing. Research Directions: Quantum Technologies, 1
https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2023.6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68718
O'Neil, S., Shermer, S., Langbein, F., Weidner, C., & Jonckheere, E. (2024). Time-Domain Sensitivity of the Tracking Error. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 69(4), 2340-2351.
https://doi.org/10.1109/tac.2023.3331681, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68717
O’Neil, S., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2024). Sensitivity Bounds for Quantum Control and Time-Domain Performance Guarantees. IEEE Control Systems Letters, 8, 169-174.
https://doi.org/10.1109/lcsys.2024.3355348, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68716
Muftah, A., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2024). Texture Feature Analysis for Classification of Early-Stage Prostate Cancer in MpMRI. In Lecture Notes in Computer Science (pp. 118-131). Springer Nature Switzerland.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-67285-9_9, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68714
O'Neil, S., Weidner, C., Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2024). Robustness of dynamic quantum control: Differential sensitivity bounds. AVS Quantum Science, 6(3)
https://doi.org/10.1116/5.0196110, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68713
Weidner, C., Reed, E., Monroe, J., Sheller, B., O’Neil, S., Maas, E., Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2025). Robust quantum control in closed and open systems: Theory and practice. Automatica, 172, 111987
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.automatica.2024.111987, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68598
O’Neil, S., Khalid, I., Rompokos, A., Weidner, C., Langbein, F., Shermer, S., & Jonckheere, E. (2023). Analyzing and Unifying Robustness Measures for Excitation Transfer Control in Spin Networks. IEEE Control Systems Letters, 7, 1783-1788.
https://doi.org/10.1109/lcsys.2023.3279797, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63618
Khalid, I., Weidner, C., Jonckheere, E., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2023). Statistically characterizing robustness and fidelity of quantum controls and quantum control algorithms. Physical Review A, 107(3)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.107.032606, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63139
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/physreva.107.032606
Langbein, F., O'Neil, S., & Shermer, S. (2022). Energy landscape controllers for quantum state transfer in spin-1/2 networks with ring topology
https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2022-35xgg, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62121
http://dx.doi.org/10.33774/coe-2022-35xgg

All Research

Journal Articles

Weidner, C., O’Neil, S., Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2025). Energy landscape shaping for robust control of atoms in optical lattices. New Journal of Physics, 27(6), 064503
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/addc0d, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa69659
Weidner, C., Reed, E., Monroe, J., Sheller, B., O’Neil, S., Maas, E., Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2025). Robust quantum control in closed and open systems: Theory and practice. Automatica, 172, 111987
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.automatica.2024.111987, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68598
O'Neil, S., Weidner, C., Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2024). Robustness of dynamic quantum control: Differential sensitivity bounds. AVS Quantum Science, 6(3)
https://doi.org/10.1116/5.0196110, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68713
O'Neil, S., Shermer, S., Langbein, F., Weidner, C., & Jonckheere, E. (2024). Time-Domain Sensitivity of the Tracking Error. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 69(4), 2340-2351.
https://doi.org/10.1109/tac.2023.3331681, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68717
O’Neil, S., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2024). Sensitivity Bounds for Quantum Control and Time-Domain Performance Guarantees. IEEE Control Systems Letters, 8, 169-174.
https://doi.org/10.1109/lcsys.2024.3355348, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68716
O’Neil, S., Langbein, F., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2023). Robustness of energy landscape control to dephasing. Research Directions: Quantum Technologies, 1
https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2023.6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68718
O’Neil, S., Langbein, F., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2023). Robustness of energy landscape controllers for spin rings under coherent excitation transport. Research Directions: Quantum Technologies, 1
https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2023.5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68719
O’Neil, S., Khalid, I., Rompokos, A., Weidner, C., Langbein, F., Shermer, S., & Jonckheere, E. (2023). Analyzing and Unifying Robustness Measures for Excitation Transfer Control in Spin Networks. IEEE Control Systems Letters, 7, 1783-1788.
https://doi.org/10.1109/lcsys.2023.3279797, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63618
Khalid, I., Weidner, C., Jonckheere, E., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2023). Statistically characterizing robustness and fidelity of quantum controls and quantum control algorithms. Physical Review A, 107(3)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.107.032606, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63139
http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/physreva.107.032606
Shermer, S., Langbein, F., Weidner, C., & Jonckheere, E. (2022). Robust Control Performance for Open Quantum Systems. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 67(11), 6012-6024.
https://doi.org/10.1109/tac.2022.3181249, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60194
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/tac.2022.3181249
O'Neal, S., Shermer, S., Langbein, F., Weidner, C., & Jonckheere, E. (2022). Time Domain Sensitivity of the Tracking Error. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2210.15783, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61775
Shermer, S. (2022). What is robust control in quantum technology?. Research Directions: Quantum Technologies, 1, 1-4.
https://doi.org/10.1017/qut.2022.5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61069
Shermer, S., Weidner, C., Jonckheere, E., & Langbein, F. (2022). Applying classical control techniques to quantum systems: entanglement versus stability margin and other limitations. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2207.12385, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61773
Khalid, I., Weidner, C., Jonckheere, E., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2022). Statistically Characterising Robustness and Fidelity of Quantum Controls and Quantum Control Algorithms. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2207.07801, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61774
Thorpe, B., Shermer, S., & Kalna, K. (2022). Monte Carlo simulations of spin transport in nanoscale In 0.7Ga0.3As transistors: temperature and size effects. Semiconductor Science and Technology, 37(7), 075009
https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6641/ac70f0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61068
Jenkins, C., Chandler, M., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2021). Benchmarking GABA Quantification: A Ground Truth Data Set and Comparative Analysis of TARQUIN, LCModel, jMRUI and Gannet. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1909.02163, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61072
https://arxiv.org/abs/1909.02163
Jenkins, C., Papadopoulos, ., & Shermer, S. (2019). Comparison of R1 Mapping Protocols: What are we measuring?. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1909.12984, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61073
https://arxiv.org/abs/1909.12984
Chandler, M., Jenkins, C., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2019). MRSNet: Metabolite Quantification from Edited Magnetic Resonance Spectra With Convolutional Neural Networks. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1909.03836, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61076
https://arxiv.org/abs/1909.03836
Jonckheere, E., Schirmer, S., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2018). Jonckheere-Terpstra test for nonclassical error versus log-sensitivity relationship of quantum spin network controllers. International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control, 28(6), 2383-2403.
https://doi.org/10.1002/rnc.4022, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37302
Shermer, S., Jonckheere, E., & Langbein, F. (2018). Design of Feedback Control Laws for Information Transfer in Spintronics Networks. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 63(8), 2523-2536.
https://doi.org/10.1109/tac.2017.2777187, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37100
Phillips, J., Portakal, Z., Shermer, S., Jenkins, C., Spezi, E., Perrett, T., Tuncel, N., & Phillips, J. (2018). Design and characterization of tissue-mimicking gel phantoms for diffusion kurtosis imaging. Medical Physics
https://doi.org/10.1002/mp.12907, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39975
Phillips, J., Papadopoulos, I., Phillips, J., Evans, R., Fenn, N., & Shermer, S. (2018). Evaluation of diffusion weighted imaging in the context of multi-parametric MRI of the prostate in the assessment of suspected low volume prostatic carcinoma. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 47, 131-136.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mri.2017.11.014, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37301
Jonckheere, E., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2018). Jonckheere‐Terpstra test for nonclassical error versus log‐sensitivity relationship of quantum spin network controllers. International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control, 28(6), 2383-2403.
https://doi.org/10.1002/rnc.4022, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61078
Thorpe, B., Kalna, K., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2017). Monte Carlo simulations of spin transport in a strained nanoscale InGaAs field effect transistor. Journal of Applied Physics, 122(22), 223903
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4994148, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa37408
Bogdan, P., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2017). Multi-fractal geometry of finite networks of spins: Nonequilibrium dynamics beyond thermalization and many-body-localization. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 103, 622-631.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2017.07.008, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34852
Portakal, Z., Shermer, S., Spezi, E., Perrett, T., Phillips, J., & Shermer, S. (2017). EP-1711: Effect of Noise Floor Suppression on Diffusion Kurtosis for Prostate Brachytherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 123, S938
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8140(17)32243-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa40427
Jonckheere, E., Schirmer, S., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2017). Structured Singular Value Analysis for Spintronics Network Information Transfer Control. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 1-1.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TAC.2017.2714623, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34559
Shermer, S. & Phillips, J. (2017). Comparison of CPMG and Uhrig Dynamic Decoupling (UDD) for tissue refocusing in MRI. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1705.03292, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61081
Motzoi, F., Halperin, E., Wang, X., Whaley, K., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2016). Backaction-driven, robust, steady-state long-distance qubit entanglement over lossy channels. Physical Review A, 94(3)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.94.032313, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30095
Portakal, Z., Phillips, J., Shermer, S., Richards, C., Spezi, E., Garcia, L., Perrett, T., Lewis, D., Tuncel, N., & Shermer, S. (2016). Creating a tissue mimicking phantom appropriate for relaxometry, diffusion imaging and ultrasound elastography. Physica Medica, 32, 220
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.07.741, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30096
Shermer, S., Papadopoulos, I., Portakal, G., Phillips, J., & Evans, R. (2016). Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy for prostate cancer screening and staging. Physica Medica, 32, 324
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.07.217, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa30097
Wang, X., Burgarth, D., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2016). Subspace controllability of spin-12chains with symmetries. Physical Review A, 94(5)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.94.052319, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31072
Wang, X., Burgarth, D., & Shermer, S. (2016). Subspace controllability of spin-1/2 chains with symmetries. Physical Review A, 94(5)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.94.052319, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61084
Portakal, Z., Phillips, J., Richards, C., Spezi, E., Perrett, T., Lewis, D., Yegingil, Z., & Shermer, S. (2016). EP-1878: Feasibility of gel phantoms in MRI for the assessment of kurtosis for prostate brachytherapy. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 119, S887-S888.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-8140(16)33129-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61083
Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2015). Information transfer fidelity in spin networks and ring-based quantum routers. Quantum Information Processing, 14(12), 4751-4785.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-015-1136-4, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23895
Glaser, S., Boscain, U., Calarco, T., Koch, C., Köckenberger, W., Kosloff, R., Kuprov, I., Luy, B., Schirmer, S., Schulte-Herbrüggen, T., Sugny, D., Wilhelm, F., & Shermer, S. (2015). Training Schrödinger’s cat: quantum optimal control. The European Physical Journal D, 69(12)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2015-60464-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23893
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1140%2Fepjd%2Fe2015-60464-1
Schirmer, S., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2015). Ubiquitous problem of learning system parameters for dissipative two-level quantum systems: Fourier analysis versus Bayesian estimation. Physical Review A, 91(2)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.91.022125, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23892
Gong, E., Zhou, W., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2015). Model discrimination for dephasing two-level systems. Physics Letters A, 379(4), 272-278.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physleta.2014.11.042, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19775
Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2014). Quantum networks: anti-core of spin chains. Quantum Information Processing, 13(7), 1607-1637.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-014-0755-5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19776
Zahedinejad, E., Schirmer, S., Sanders, B., & Shermer, S. (2014). Evolutionary algorithms for hard quantum control. Physical Review A, 90(3)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.90.032310, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19777
DE FOUQUIERES, P., SCHIRMER, S., & Shermer, S. (2013). A CLOSER LOOK AT QUANTUM CONTROL LANDSCAPES AND THEIR IMPLICATION FOR CONTROL OPTIMIZATION. Infinite Dimensional Analysis, Quantum Probability and Related Topics, 16(03), 1350021
https://doi.org/10.1142/S0219025713500215, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa17422
Oi, D., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2012). Limits on the decay rate of quantum coherence and correlation. Physical Review A, 86(1)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.012121, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8317
Xiaoting Wang, ., Pemberton-Ross, P., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2012). Symmetry and Subspace Controllability for Spin Networks With a Single-Node Control. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 57(8), 1945-1956.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TAC.2012.2202057, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8316
Zhou, W., Schirmer, S., Gong, E., Xie, H., Zhang, M., & Shermer, S. (2012). Identification of Markovian open system dynamics for qubit systems. Chinese Science Bulletin, 57(18), 2242-2246.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-012-5180-5, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8319
Floether, F., Fouquieres, P., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2012). Robust quantum gates for open systems via optimal control: Markovian versus non-Markovian dynamics. New Journal of Physics, 14(7), 073023
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/14/7/073023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8318
Zhang, M., Lin, M., Schirmer, S., Dai, H., Zhou, Z., Hu, D., & Shermer, S. (2012). On the role of a priori knowledge in the optimization of quantum information processing. Quantum Information Processing, 11(3), 639-673.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-011-0278-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7862
Oi, D. & Shermer, S. (2012). Quantum system characterization with limited resources. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 370(1979), 5386-5395.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2011.0530, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61090
Shermer, S., Oi, D., Zhou, W., Gong, E., & Zhang, M. (2012). Open quantum system identification. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1205.6220, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61089
Zhang, M., Wei, J., Zhou, W., Dai, ., Xi, Z., & Shermer, S. (2012). Trajectory-constrained optimal local time-continuous waveform controls for state transitions in N-level quantum systems. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1010.2805, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61096
de Fouquieres, P., Schirmer, S., Glaser, S., Kuprov, I., & Shermer, S. (2011). Second order gradient ascent pulse engineering. Journal of Magnetic Resonance, 212(2), 412-417.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmr.2011.07.023, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7852
Zhou, W., Schirmer, S., Zhang, M., Dai, H., & Shermer, S. (2011). Bang–bang control design for quantum state transfer based on hyperspherical coordinates and optimal time–energy control. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, 44(10)
https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8113/44/10/105303, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7853
Machnes, S., Sander, U., Glaser, S., de Fouquières, P., Gruslys, A., Schirmer, S., Schulte-Herbrüggen, T., & Shermer, S. (2011). Comparing, optimizing, and benchmarking quantum-control algorithms in a unifying programming framework. Physical Review A, 84(2)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.84.022305, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7857
Solomon, A., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2011). Quantum control of two-qubit entanglement dissipation. Journal of Russian Laser Research, 32(5), 502-510.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10946-011-9240-0, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7867
Schirmer, S., Fouquieres, P., & Shermer, S. (2011). Efficient algorithms for optimal control of quantum dynamics: the Krotov method unencumbered. New Journal of Physics, 13(7)
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/13/7/073029, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7874
Zhou, W., Shermer, S., Zhang, M., & Dai, H. (2011). Bang–bang control design for quantum state transfer based on hyperspherical coordinates and optimal time–energy control. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical, 44(10), 105303
https://doi.org/10.1088/1751-8113/44/10/105303, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61091
Wang, X., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2010). Analysis of Lyapunov Method for Control of Quantum States. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 55(10), 2259-2270.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TAC.2010.2043292, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7869
Ticozzi, F., Schirmer, S., Wang, X., & Shermer, S. (2010). Stabilizing Quantum States by Constructive Design of Open Quantum Dynamics. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 55(12)-2905.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TAC.2010.2079532, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7877
Wang, X., Bayat, A., Schirmer, S., Bose, S., & Shermer, S. (2010). Robust entanglement in antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains by single-spin optimal control. Physical Review A, 81(3)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.81.032312, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7878
Pemberton-Ross, P., Kay, A., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2010). Quantum control theory for state transformations: Dark states and their enlightenment. Physical Review A, 82(4)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.82.042322, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7859
Schirmer, S., D. K. L, O., & Shermer, S. (2010). Quantum system identification by Bayesian analysis of noisy data: Beyond Hamiltonian tomography. Laser Physics, 20(5)-1209.
https://doi.org/10.1134/S1054660X10090434, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7860
Wang, X., Bayat, A., Bose, S., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2010). Global control methods for Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger-state generation on a one-dimensional Ising chain. Physical Review A, 82(1)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.82.012330, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7854
Wang, X., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2010). Analysis of Effectiveness of Lyapunov Control for Non-Generic Quantum States. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 55(6)-1411.
https://doi.org/10.1109/TAC.2010.2042760, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7871
Schirmer, S., Wang, X., & Shermer, S. (2010). Stabilizing open quantum systems by Markovian reservoir engineering. Physical Review A, 81(6), 062306
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.81.062306, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7864
Wang, X., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2009). Entanglement generation between distant atoms by Lyapunov control. Physical Review A, 80(4)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.80.042305, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7865
Chatzisavvas, K., Chadzitaskos, G., Daskaloyannis, C., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2009). Improving quantum gate fidelities using optimized Euler angles. Physical Review A, 80(5)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.80.052329, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7872
Wang, X., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2009). Contractivity of the Hilbert-Schmidt distance under open-system dynamics. Physical Review A, 79(5)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.79.052326, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7873
Nigmatullin, R., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2009). Implementation of fault-tolerant quantum logic gates via optimal control. New Journal of Physics, 11(10)
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/11/10/105032, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7855
Schirmer, S. & Shermer, S. (2009). Implementation of quantum gates via optimal control. Journal of Modern Optics, 56(6)-839.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09500340802344933, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7856
Schirmer, S., Daniel, O., & Shermer, S. (2009). Two-qubit Hamiltonian tomography by Bayesian analysis of noisy data. Physical Review A, 80(2), 022333
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.80.022333, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7861
Schirmer, S., Pemberton-Ross, P., & Shermer, S. (2009). Fast high-fidelity information transmission through spin-chain quantum wires. Physical Review A, 80(3)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.80.030301, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7851
Schirmer, S., Pullen, I., Pemberton-Ross, P., & Shermer, S. (2008). Global controllability with a single local actuator. Physical Review A, 78(6)
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.78.062339, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7866
Shermer, S., Oi, D., & Devitt, S. (2008). Physics-based mathematical models for quantum devices via experimental system identification. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 107, 012011
https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/107/1/012011, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61099
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/107/1/012011
Devitt, S., Shermer, S., Oi, D., Cole, J., & Hollenberg, L. (2007). Subspace confinement: how good is your qubit?. New Journal of Physics, 9(10), 384-384.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/9/10/384, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61109
Shermer, S. (2006). Quantum choreography: making molecules dance to technology's tune?. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 364(1849), 3423-3438.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2006.1889, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61113
Cole, J., Greentree, A., Oi, D., Shermer, S., Wellard, C., & Hollenberg, L. (2006). Identifying a two-state Hamiltonian in the presence of decoherence. Physical Review A, 73(6)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.73.062333, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61111
Shermer, S., Pullen, I., & Solomon, A. (2005). Controllability of multi-partite quantum systems and selective excitation of quantum dots. Journal of Optics B: Quantum and Semiclassical Optics, 7(10), S293-S299.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1464-4266/7/10/013, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61115
Oi, D., Shermer, S., Greentree, A., & Stace, T. (2005). Robust charge-based qubit encoding. Physical Review B, 72(7)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.72.075348, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61118
Cole, J., Shermer, S., Greentree, A., Wellard, C., Oi, D., & Hollenberg, L. (2005). Identifying an experimental two-state Hamiltonian to arbitrary accuracy. Physical Review A, 71(6)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.71.062312, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61117
Shermer, S., Oi, D., & Greentree, A. (2005). Controlled phase gate for solid-state charge-qubit architectures. Physical Review A, 71(1)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.71.012325, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61116
Shermer, S. & Solomon, A. (2004). Constraints on relaxation rates for N-level quantum systems. Physical Review A, 70(2)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.70.022107, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61120
Shermer, S., Kolli, A., & Oi, D. (2004). Experimental Hamiltonian identification for controlled two-level systems. Physical Review A, 69(5)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.69.050306, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61123
Greentree, A., Shermer, S., Green, F., Hollenberg, L., Hamilton, A., & Clark, R. (2004). Maximizing the Hilbert Space for a Finite Number of Distinguishable Quantum States. Physical Review Letters, 92(9)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.92.097901, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61124
Shermer, S., Zhang, T., & Leahy, J. (2004). Orbits of quantum states and geometry of Bloch vectors forN-level systems. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General, 37(4), 1389-1402.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/37/4/022, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61125
Shermer, S., Greentree, A., & Oi, D. (2003). Implementation of controlled multi-qudit operations for a solid-state quantum computer based on charge qudits. arXiv
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.quant-ph/0305052, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61127
Shermer, S., Solomon, A., & Leahy, J. (2002). Criteria for reachability of quantum states. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General, 35(40), 8551-8562.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/35/40/313, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61130
Shermer, S., Greentree, A., Ramakrishna, V., & Rabitz, H. (2002). Constructive control of quantum systems using factorization of unitary operators. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General, 35(39), 8315-8339.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/35/39/313, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61129
Shermer, S., Solomon, A., & Leahy, J. (2002). Degrees of controllability for quantum systems and application to atomic systems. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General, 35(18), 4125-4141.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/35/18/309, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61131
Shermer, S., Pullen, I., & Solomon, A. (2002). Identification of dynamical Lie algebras for finite-level quantum control systems. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General, 35(9), 2327-2340.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/35/9/319, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61134
Shermer, S., Fu, H., & Solomon, A. (2001). Complete controllability of quantum systems. Physical Review A, 63(6)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.63.063410, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61139
Fu, H., Shermer, S., & Solomon, A. (2001). Complete controllability of finite-level quantum systems. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General, 34(8), 1679-1690.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0305-4470/34/8/313, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61138
Shermer, S. & Leahy, J. (2001). Limits of control for quantum systems: Kinematical bounds on the optimization of observables and the question of dynamical realizability. Physical Review A, 63(2)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.63.025403, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61141
Shermer, S. (2000). Laser cooling of internal molecular degrees of freedom for vibrationally hot molecules. Physical Review A, 63(1)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.63.013407, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61146
Shermer, S., Girardeau, M., & Leahy, J. (1999). Efficient algorithm for optimal control of mixed-state quantum systems. Physical Review A, 61(1)
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.61.012101, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61147
Girardeau, M., Ina, M., Shermer, S., & Gulsrud, T. (1997). Kinematical bounds on evolution and optimization of mixed quantum states. Physical Review A, 55(3), R1565-R1568.
https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.55.r1565, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61149

Conference Contributions

Muftah, A., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2024). Texture Feature Analysis for Classification of Early-Stage Prostate Cancer in MpMRI. In Lecture Notes in Computer Science (pp. 118-131). Springer Nature Switzerland.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-67285-9_9, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68714
Shermer, S., Langbein, F., Weidner, C., & Jonckheere, E. (2021). Robustness of Quantum Systems Subject to Decoherence: Structured Singular Value Analysis?. In 2021 60th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), 14-17 December 2021IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/cdc45484.2021.9682796, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61071
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cdc45484.2021.9682796
Khalid, I., Weidner, C., Jonckheere, E., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2021). Reinforcement Learning vs. Gradient-Based Optimisation for Robust Energy Landscape Control of Spin-1/2 Quantum Networks. In 2021 60th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC)IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/cdc45484.2021.9683463, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61070
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cdc45484.2021.9683463
Shermer, S., Burwell, G., Evans, J., Kalna, K., & Langbin, F. (2019). Dilute magnetic contact for a spin GaN HEMT. In Semiconductor and Integrated OptoElectronics Conference (SIOE) Conference, Cardiff, UK, 16-18 April 2019
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61074
https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/121866/
Schirmer, S., Jonckheere, E., O'Neil, S., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2018). Robustness of Energy Landscape Control for Spin Networks Under Decoherence. In 2018 IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC) (pp. 6608-6613). 2018 IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC).
https://doi.org/10.1109/CDC.2018.8619179, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa49179
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8619179
Shermer, S., Jonckheere, E., O'Neil, S., & Langbein, F. (2018). Robustness of Energy Landscape Control for Spin Networks Under Decoherence. In 2018 IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC)IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2018.8619179, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61075
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2018.8619179
Shermer, S. (2018). Quantification of edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy: a comparative phantom based study of analysis methods. In ISMRM 27th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, 11-16 May 2019. Montreal, Canada.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61079
https://cds.ismrm.org/protected/19MProceedings/PDFfiles/2232.html
O'Neil, S., Jonckheere, E., Shermer, S., & Langbein, F. (2017). Sensitivity and robustness of quantum spin-1 rings to parameter uncertainty. In 2017 IEEE 56th Annual Conference on Decision and Control (CDC) (pp. 6137-6142). IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2017.8264584, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39005
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2017.8264584
Langbein, F., Schirmer, S., Jonckheere, E., & Shermer, S. (2015). Time optimal information transfer in spintronics networks. (pp. 6454-6459). IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/CDC.2015.7403236, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23894
Schirmer, S., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2014). Characterization and control of quantum spin chains and rings. (pp. 615-619).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCCSP.2014.6877950, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa23891
Jonckheere, E., Langbein, F., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2012). Curvature of quantum rings. (pp. 1-6).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCCSP.2012.6217863, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8321
Brossard, F., Schirmer, S., Chalcraft, A., Whittaker, D., & Shermer, S. (2011). High Q photonic crystal cavities with tapered air holes. (pp. 79331WSPIE.
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.874212, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7870
Gong, E., Zhou, W., Zhang, M., Schirmer, S., & Shermer, S. (2011). Effective model parameters identification for open quantum systems. (pp. 174-179).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ICECENG.2011.6057456, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7858
Jonckheere, E., Schirmer, S., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2011). Geometry and curvature of spin networks. (pp. 786-791).
https://doi.org/10.1109/CCA.2011.6044395, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7875
Schirmer, S., Langbein, F., & Shermer, S. (2010). Quantum system identification: Hamiltonian estimation using spectral and Bayesian analysis. (pp. 1-5).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCCSP.2010.5463437, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7868
Wei-Wei, Z., Zhi-qiang, S., Erling, G., Schirmer, S., Hong-Wei, X., Ming, Z., & Shermer, S. (2010). Model-type identification for four-level quantum systems by projective measurement. In 29th Chinese Control Conference (CCC, Beijing, 2010) (pp. 5883-5888).
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa8320
Zhang, M., Schirmer, S., Dai, H., Zhou, W., Lin, M., & Shermer, S. (2009). Experimental design and identifiability of model parameters for quantum systems. -3832).
https://doi.org/10.1109/CDC.2009.5400380, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7863
Schirmer, S., Kandasamy, G., Devitt, S., & Shermer, S. (2008). Control paradigms for quantum engineering. (pp. 966-971).
https://doi.org/10.1109/ISCCSP.2008.4537363, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7876
Shermer, S. (2007). Hamiltonian Engineering for Quantum Systems. In Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Methods for Nonlinear Control 2006 (pp. 293-304). Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73890-9_23, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61105
Solomon, A. & Shermer, S. (2006). Bohm-Aharonov Type Effects in Dissipative Atomic Systems. In Differential Geometry and PhysicsWORLD SCIENTIFIC.
https://doi.org/10.1142/9789812772527_0038, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61110
Shermer, S. (2005). Systematic Hamiltonian identification of two-level systems. In Conference: 16. National Congress of the Australian Institute of Physics. Physics for the Nation, Canberra, ACT (Australia), 30 Jan - 4 Feb 2005
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61119
Shermer, S., Greentree, A., & Durrant, A. (2003). Quantum control of population inversion in the presence of spontaneous emission. In Coherence and Quantum Optics VIII (pp. 475-476). Springer US.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8907-9_125, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61128
Schirmer, S. & Shermer, S. (2002). Quantum control using Lie group decompositions. In Proceedings of the 40th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (Cat. No.01CH37228), December 2001.IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2001.980116, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61142
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2001.980116
Schirmer, S., Greentree, A., Solomon, A., & Shermer, S. (2001). Robust quantum memory via quantum control. In Optical Fiber Communication Conference and International Conference on Quantum InformationOSA.
https://doi.org/10.1364/icqi.2001.pa26, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61143
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/icqi.2001.pa26
Leahy, J. & Shermer, S. (2000). Dynamical realizability of kinematical bounds on the optimization of observables for quantum systems. In Proceedings of the 39th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (Cat. No.00CH37187)IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2000.912046, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61144
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2000.912046
Shermer, S. (2000). Laser cooling of internal molecular degrees of freedom. In Proceedings of the 39th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (Cat. No.00CH37187)IEEE.
https://doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2000.912049, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61145
http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/cdc.2000.912049

Other Research Outputs

Langbein, F., O'Neil, S., & Shermer, S. (2022). Energy landscape controllers for quantum state transfer in spin-1/2 networks with ring topology
https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2022-35xgg, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62121
http://dx.doi.org/10.33774/coe-2022-35xgg

Taught Modules

PH-023 Foundation Mathematics for Physicists I

Designed for students without a strong mathematical background, this module builds the core mathematical skills required to unlock and succeed in foundation¿level physics.
PH-025 Atoms, Nuclei and Particles

An exploration of the essential ideas that underpin atomic structure, nuclear processes, and the world of sub¿atomic particles