We demonstrate quantum control of a large spin angular momentum associated with the $F=3$ hyperfine ground state of ${}^{133}\mathrm{Cs}$. Time-dependent magnetic fields and a static tensor light shift are used to implement near-optimal controls and map a fiducial state to a broad range of target states, with yields in the range 0.8–0.9. Squeezed states are produced also by an adiabatic scheme that is more robust against errors. Universal control facilitates the encoding and manipulation of qubits and qudits in atomic ground states and may lead to the improvement of some precision measurements.

• Received 1 June 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.163002