The dynamical advantages for employing up to three independently shaped polarization fields are explored in the optimal control of quantum systems. The analysis compares multi-polarization optimal control with what may be achieved using linearly polarized (1-D) control. Simulations on model systems show how multi-polarization (2-D, 3-D) optimally shaped pulses can overcome symmetry forbidden transitions and improve control quality by better accessibility to the target state. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.