  We propose a new protocol for thr manipulation of a three-level artificial
atom in Lambda ($\Lambda$) configuration in the absence of a direct pump
coupling. It allows faithful, selective and robust population transfer
analogous to stimulated Raman adiabatic passage ($\Lambda$-STIRAP), in highly
noise protected superconducting artificial atoms. It combines the use of a
two-photon pump pulse with suitable advanced control, operated by a slow
modulation of the phase of the external fields, leveraging on the stability of
semiclassical microwave drives. This protocol is a building block for novel
tasks in complex quantum architectures. Its demonstration would be a benchmark
for the implementation of a class of multilevel advanced control procedures for
quantum computation and microwave quantum photonics in systems based on
artificial atoms.
