Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Zhongguo kexue. Wulixue Lixue Tianwenxue

Theories and applications of quantum annealing: A literature survey

BaoNan Wang, HengHua SHUI, Sumin Wang, Feng HU, Chao Wang

Published May 21, 2021• 8 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum annealing (QA) algorithm is a new quantum optimization algorithm based on the classical simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. Unlike classical SA algorithm, which uses the thermal waves to search for the optimal solution, the QA algorithm uses the quantum tunneling effect to allow a quantum to penetrate a potential barrier with a higher energy than itself. Therefore, the algorithm can get rid of the local extreme values and is more likely to approach the global optimal with higher probability. In the literature, the QA algorithm has shown perfect optimization effects on combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, the basic concepts and application fields of QA algorithm, which is the core principle of D-Wave quantum computer, are systematically reviewed. The applications of QA algorithm in cryptography, traveling salesman problem, graph coloring problem, and traffic path are discussed in detail. In addition, the direction of future research for QA algorithm is explored.

DOI
10.1360/sspma-2020-0409

Related papers

Quantum annealing optimization and geophysical inverse method

Meigen Zhang

The idea of Quantum Annealing(QA),which is based on the mechanism of quantum transition tunneling effect and not same with the annealing theory of simulated thermal annealing,is a recent offspring of the celebrated simulated thermal annealing by Kirkpatrick.This paper,firstly,summarizes the basic differences between Quantum Annealing and Simulated Annealing;and then mainly addresses the attention to the practical developments of the application in optimization such as Ising spin glass,Traveling Salesman Problem,Boolean Satisfiability Problem and so on,discusses the details of the annealing process of Quantum Annealing and its compare with Simulated Annealing on test problems;subsequently,expatiates the geophysical inverse theory and method corresponding to Quantum Annealing,discusses the setting of parameters such as Temperature and Transverse field,compares the probabilities of being on configurations with different transverse fields and potential energies;finally briefly summarizes the prospects and the existent problems of using Quantum Annealing in geophysical inverse problem.

Progress in geophysics•Jan 1, 2007•2 citations

Quantum annealing for industry applications: introduction and review

Sheir Yarkoni, Elena Raponi, Thomas Bäck +1 more

Quantum annealing (QA) is a heuristic quantum optimization algorithm that can be used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. In recent years, advances in quantum technologies have enabled the development of small- and intermediate-scale quantum processors that implement the QA algorithm for programmable use. Specifically, QA processors produced by D-Wave systems have been studied and tested extensively in both research and industrial settings across different disciplines. In this paper we provide a literature review of the theoretical motivations for QA as a heuristic quantum optimization algorithm, the software and hardware that is required to use such quantum processors, and the state-of-the-art applications and proofs-of-concepts that have been demonstrated using them. The goal of our review is to provide a centralized and condensed source regarding applications of QA technology. We identify the advantages, limitations, and potential of QA for both researchers and practitioners from various fields.

arXiv:2112.07491•Reports on Progress in Physics•Aug 24, 2022•341 citations

Quantum Annealing for Combinatorial Optimization Problems

Jincheng Zhang

This paper investigates the application of quantum annealing to solve combinatorial optimization problems. The core claim is that quantum annealing algorithms can effectively enhance the efficiency and accuracy of solving such problems. The underlying mechanism involves simulating the quantum annealing process, leveraging the quantum tunneling effect to explore the solution space and identify optimal solutions. This work presents a novel approach by applying quantum annealing to combinatorial optimization, offering a fresh perspective on problem-solving. We explore the theoretical foundations, model the annealing process, and discuss potential challenges and future research directions. The focus is on demonstrating the feasibility and potential benefits of this approach rather than presenting results from experimental implementations.

•Aug 28, 2026•0 citations

Optimization Algorithms for Combinatorial Problems: A Comparative Study of Quantum Annealing and Classical Methods

Suresh A. J.

Optimization algorithms for combinatorial problems play a critical role in a wide range of applications, from logistics and scheduling to cryptography and artificial intelligence. Traditional classical methods, such as simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, and branch-and-bound techniques, have been widely employed to solve these problems, but they often face limitations in terms of computational efficiency and scalability as problem complexity grows. In recent years, quantum computing has emerged as a promising alternative, with quantum annealing offering a novel approach to solving combinatorial optimization problems. This study provides a comparative analysis of quantum annealing and classical optimization methods, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. We explore how quantum annealing, through leveraging quantum tunnelling and superposition, has the potential to outperform classical algorithms in specific problem domains and Noisy Mean Field Annealing (NMFA) is used to comparisons of all algorithms. Benchmarking various combinatorial problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), Max-Cut, Knapsack, and Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP), this paper discusses performance metrics, computational time, and scalability. The findings suggest that while classical methods remain robust and practical for many real-world problems, quantum annealing holds significant promise, especially as quantum hardware continues to mature. However, there remain challenges in terms of noise, coherence, and problem mapping, which currently limit the full realization of quantum annealing's potential. This study offers insights into the future directions of optimization techniques and the evolving role of quantum computing in solving complex combinatorial problems.

International Journal of Intelligent Systems and Applications in Engineering•Mar 30, 2023•0 citations

Quantum Annealing-Based Combinatorial Optimization Algorithm

Jincheng Zhang

This paper investigates the application of quantum annealing for solving complex combinatorial optimization problems. The core claim is that quantum annealing leverages its global search capabilities to efficiently address such problems. The proposed mechanism involves formulating the combinatorial optimization problem as a quantum annealing problem and utilizing the simulated annealing process within quantum annealing to conduct a search for the optimal solution. This research explores the potential of quantum annealing in practical applications, acknowledging that its application in combinatorial optimization is still in its exploratory phase. The algorithm is designed to minimize the energy of a system described by a Hamiltonian, which evolves over time according to the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. The core of the algorithm lies in mapping the problem's constraints and objective function into this Hamiltonian. The search process is governed by quantum fluctuations, represented by the operator $\hat{H}$, which encourages transitions to lower energy states, effectively navigating the solution space. The effectiveness of the algorithm is evaluated based on the quality of the solution found and the computational resources required. This work provides a foundational exploration of quantum annealing's potential within the field of combinatorial optimization.

•Sep 3, 2026•0 citations

基于量子退火算法的复杂优化问题求解

Jincheng Zhang

This paper investigates the application of the Quantum Annealing (QA) algorithm to solve complex optimization problems. The core claim is that simulating a complex optimization problem's local search process through the QA's annealing process can effectively locate global optimal solutions. The mechanism involves mapping the solution space of an optimization problem onto the annealing path of QA, controlling the annealing rate and path to guide the solution towards the optimal point. This research leverages QA's inherent ability to mimic physical annealing, aiming to enhance optimization efficiency and accuracy. We present a framework for formulating and applying QA to various complex problems, highlighting its potential advantages over traditional optimization methods. This work contributes to the growing field of quantum computing by demonstrating a practical approach to tackling challenging optimization tasks. The results suggest that QA can be a viable alternative for achieving superior performance in specific optimization scenarios.

•Sep 6, 2026•0 citations
Quantum annealing (QA) algorithm is a new quantum optimization algorithm based on the classical simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. Unlike classical SA algorithm, which uses the thermal waves to search for the optimal solution, the QA algorithm uses the quantum tunneling effect to allow a quantum to penetrate a potential barrier with a higher energy than itself. Therefore, the algorithm can get rid of the local extreme values and is more likely to approach the global optimal with higher probability. In the literature, the QA algorithm has shown perfect optimization effects on combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper, the basic concepts and application fields of QA algorithm, which is the core principle of D-Wave quantum computer, are systematically reviewed. The applications of QA algorithm in cryptography, traveling salesman problem, graph coloring problem, and traffic path are discussed in detail. In addition, the direction of future research for QA algorithm is explored.
The idea of Quantum Annealing(QA),which is based on the mechanism of quantum transition tunneling effect and not same with the annealing theory of simulated thermal annealing,is a recent offspring of the celebrated simulated thermal annealing by Kirkpatrick.This paper,firstly,summarizes the basic differences between Quantum Annealing and Simulated Annealing;and then mainly addresses the attention to the practical developments of the application in optimization such as Ising spin glass,Traveling Salesman Problem,Boolean Satisfiability Problem and so on,discusses the details of the annealing process of Quantum Annealing and its compare with Simulated Annealing on test problems;subsequently,expatiates the geophysical inverse theory and method corresponding to Quantum Annealing,discusses the setting of parameters such as Temperature and Transverse field,compares the probabilities of being on configurations with different transverse fields and potential energies;finally briefly summarizes the prospects and the existent problems of using Quantum Annealing in geophysical inverse problem.
Quantum annealing (QA) is a heuristic quantum optimization algorithm that can be used to solve combinatorial optimization problems. In recent years, advances in quantum technologies have enabled the development of small- and intermediate-scale quantum processors that implement the QA algorithm for programmable use. Specifically, QA processors produced by D-Wave systems have been studied and tested extensively in both research and industrial settings across different disciplines. In this paper we provide a literature review of the theoretical motivations for QA as a heuristic quantum optimization algorithm, the software and hardware that is required to use such quantum processors, and the state-of-the-art applications and proofs-of-concepts that have been demonstrated using them. The goal of our review is to provide a centralized and condensed source regarding applications of QA technology. We identify the advantages, limitations, and potential of QA for both researchers and practitioners from various fields.
This paper investigates the application of quantum annealing to solve combinatorial optimization problems. The core claim is that quantum annealing algorithms can effectively enhance the efficiency and accuracy of solving such problems. The underlying mechanism involves simulating the quantum annealing process, leveraging the quantum tunneling effect to explore the solution space and identify optimal solutions. This work presents a novel approach by applying quantum annealing to combinatorial optimization, offering a fresh perspective on problem-solving. We explore the theoretical foundations, model the annealing process, and discuss potential challenges and future research directions. The focus is on demonstrating the feasibility and potential benefits of this approach rather than presenting results from experimental implementations.
Optimization algorithms for combinatorial problems play a critical role in a wide range of applications, from logistics and scheduling to cryptography and artificial intelligence. Traditional classical methods, such as simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, and branch-and-bound techniques, have been widely employed to solve these problems, but they often face limitations in terms of computational efficiency and scalability as problem complexity grows. In recent years, quantum computing has emerged as a promising alternative, with quantum annealing offering a novel approach to solving combinatorial optimization problems. This study provides a comparative analysis of quantum annealing and classical optimization methods, highlighting their respective strengths and limitations. We explore how quantum annealing, through leveraging quantum tunnelling and superposition, has the potential to outperform classical algorithms in specific problem domains and Noisy Mean Field Annealing (NMFA) is used to comparisons of all algorithms. Benchmarking various combinatorial problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP), Max-Cut, Knapsack, and Quadratic Assignment Problem (QAP), this paper discusses performance metrics, computational time, and scalability. The findings suggest that while classical methods remain robust and practical for many real-world problems, quantum annealing holds significant promise, especially as quantum hardware continues to mature. However, there remain challenges in terms of noise, coherence, and problem mapping, which currently limit the full realization of quantum annealing's potential. This study offers insights into the future directions of optimization techniques and the evolving role of quantum computing in solving complex combinatorial problems.
This paper investigates the application of quantum annealing for solving complex combinatorial optimization problems. The core claim is that quantum annealing leverages its global search capabilities to efficiently address such problems. The proposed mechanism involves formulating the combinatorial optimization problem as a quantum annealing problem and utilizing the simulated annealing process within quantum annealing to conduct a search for the optimal solution. This research explores the potential of quantum annealing in practical applications, acknowledging that its application in combinatorial optimization is still in its exploratory phase. The algorithm is designed to minimize the energy of a system described by a Hamiltonian, which evolves over time according to the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. The core of the algorithm lies in mapping the problem's constraints and objective function into this Hamiltonian. The search process is governed by quantum fluctuations, represented by the operator H^\hat{H}H^, which encourages transitions to lower energy states, effectively navigating the solution space. The effectiveness of the algorithm is evaluated based on the quality of the solution found and the computational resources required. This work provides a foundational exploration of quantum annealing's potential within the field of combinatorial optimization.
This paper investigates the application of the Quantum Annealing (QA) algorithm to solve complex optimization problems. The core claim is that simulating a complex optimization problem's local search process through the QA's annealing process can effectively locate global optimal solutions. The mechanism involves mapping the solution space of an optimization problem onto the annealing path of QA, controlling the annealing rate and path to guide the solution towards the optimal point. This research leverages QA's inherent ability to mimic physical annealing, aiming to enhance optimization efficiency and accuracy. We present a framework for formulating and applying QA to various complex problems, highlighting its potential advantages over traditional optimization methods. This work contributes to the growing field of quantum computing by demonstrating a practical approach to tackling challenging optimization tasks. The results suggest that QA can be a viable alternative for achieving superior performance in specific optimization scenarios.