Beating the limits with initial correlations

Fast and reliable reset of a qubit is a key prerequisite for any quantum technology. For real world open
quantum systems undergoing non-Markovian dynamics, reset implies not only purification, but in
particular erasure of initial correlations between qubit and environment. Here, we derive optimal reset
protocols using a combination of geometric and numerical control theory. For factorizing initial
states, we find a lower limit for the entropy reduction of the qubit as well as a speed limit. The timeoptimal
solution is determined by the maximum coupling strength. Initial correlations, remarkably,
allow for faster reset and smaller errors. Entanglement is not necessary.