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Future Generation Computer Systems

Solving combinatorial optimization and machine learning problems on hybrid near-term quantum photonic computers

Mateusz Slysz, Łukasz Grodzki, Piotr Rydlichowski, Dawid Siera, Krzysztof Kurowski, Grzegorz Waligóra, Jan Węglarz

Published Jun 23, 2025• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum computers are increasingly being integrated into classical computing environments, particularly within supercomputing and data centers, where they serve as accelerators for solving a wide range of specific problems. Previous research has indicated that quantum computers have the potential to resolve optimization problems with theoretically lower computational complexity than classical algorithms. However, in practical scenarios, even minor instances of these problems often require substantial computational resources, enhanced quality quantum hardware, and the results may not always be optimal. In this paper, we highlight the importance of hybrid systems, combining quantum and classical computations to address growing problem sizes and computational demands. We focus on optimization problems using hardware and software-enhanced quantum computers operational within a novel quantum–classical hybrid setup, incorporating GPUs and photonic quantum computers. The study specifically addresses combinatorial optimization problems, such as the Max-Cut and the Job Shop Scheduling Problem, in addition to selected machine learning classification use cases. Notably, the quantum algorithm in Max-Cut optimization outperformed complete solution searches, especially for larger problem instances. For the Job-Shop Scheduling Problem, we made a significant advancement by successfully solving substantially larger instances compared to our previous previous work. Furthermore, selected hybrid neural networks incorporating quantum layers showed improved stability, though without a clear quality advantage over classical models. The paper also highlights the rapid progress and technological achievements in both hardware and software used in near-term photonic quantum computers, suggesting a promising future for quantum–classical hybrid systems in useful applications.

DOI
10.1016/j.future.2025.107934

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Quantum computers are increasingly being integrated into classical computing environments, particularly within supercomputing and data centers, where they serve as accelerators for solving a wide range of specific problems. Previous research has indicated that quantum computers have the potential to resolve optimization problems with theoretically lower computational complexity than classical algorithms. However, in practical scenarios, even minor instances of these problems often require substantial computational resources, enhanced quality quantum hardware, and the results may not always be optimal. In this paper, we highlight the importance of hybrid systems, combining quantum and classical computations to address growing problem sizes and computational demands. We focus on optimization problems using hardware and software-enhanced quantum computers operational within a novel quantum–classical hybrid setup, incorporating GPUs and photonic quantum computers. The study specifically addresses combinatorial optimization problems, such as the Max-Cut and the Job Shop Scheduling Problem, in addition to selected machine learning classification use cases. Notably, the quantum algorithm in Max-Cut optimization outperformed complete solution searches, especially for larger problem instances. For the Job-Shop Scheduling Problem, we made a significant advancement by successfully solving substantially larger instances compared to our previous previous work. Furthermore, selected hybrid neural networks incorporating quantum layers showed improved stability, though without a clear quality advantage over classical models. The paper also highlights the rapid progress and technological achievements in both hardware and software used in near-term photonic quantum computers, suggesting a promising future for quantum–classical hybrid systems in useful applications.
Abstract This research presents a comprehensive hybrid quantum classical machine learning framework designed to overcome the computational limitations of classical algorithms when processing high dimensional data. The study integrates parameterized quantum circuits within classical neural network architectures and demonstrates their application across optimization tasks and supervised learning problems. The framework was evaluated on combinatorial optimization benchmarks including Max Cut and Job Shop Scheduling problems alongside classification tasks using quantum annealing based feature selection. Results demonstrate that hybrid quantum classical models achieve faster convergence rates and improved accuracy in high dimensional spaces compared to classical counterparts with the quantum algorithm for Max Cut optimization outperforming complete solution searches on larger problem instances. The findings provide machine learning practitioners and quantum computing researchers with validated hybrid architectures for near term quantum device deployment.
Quantum computers acting as ML accelerators have attracted considerable interest as a promising avenue for addressing the limitations of classical computing confronted with solving complex, high-dimensional problems and handling large data sets. The most exciting aspect of quantum computing lies in its quantum advantage via techniques such as quantum parallelism, superposition, and entanglement which allows not only for rapid data processing, but also a means to resolve complex optimization problems beyond the capacity of classical algorithms. Nevertheless, the usage of quantum computing in machine learning is still a fledgling domain, with challenges concerning quantum noise, hardware restrictions, and algorithmic development. In particular, this research is concerned with the development of and study on hybrid quantum-classical algorithms that target to improve ML models in terms of computational capabilities by making use of the best of both worlds. To address this, researchers are developing hybrid algorithms that leverage the strengths of quantum computing for specific tasks, like optimization and pattern recognition, while still relying on classical computing for more flexible and larger-scale processing, ultimately achieving more efficient machine learning systems that can handle large datasets and complex problem-solving more effectively. It includes potential hybrid approaches like quantum-enhanced optimization algorithms, quantum neural networks, and quantum support vector machines, and examines how such algorithms can be used for practical ML problems including data classification, regression and clustering. Furthermore, the paper proposes that hybrid quantum algorithms offer several advantages over their classical counterparts, such as faster convergence rates, higher accuracy in high-dimensional spaces, and improved handling of non-linear and complex problem landscapes. Key advancements in the area of data processing speed and efficiency in problem-solving with and without quantum in the machine learning workflow are also highlighted in the research through comparative analysis and simulation studies. Lastly, the paper concludes by outlining the obstacles yet to be surmounted and the opportunities that lie ahead for hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, such as further improvement of quantum hardware and error mitigation methods, as well as the design of new algorithmic paradigms that seamlessly integrates the classical and quantum computing spaces.
Quantum computing, leveraging quantum mechanics, promises to enhance optimization processes in artificial intelligence (AI) by addressing challenges faced by classical computing in solving complex problems. This study investigates the role of quantum computing in optimizing AI tasks, focusing on algorithms such as Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and Quantum Annealing (QA) for improved efficiency in optimization. A hybrid quantum-classical approach was used to evaluate the performance of quantum algorithms in optimization tasks, including combinatorial optimization and machine learning model tuning. QAOA and QA were applied to benchmark problems, such as Max-Cut and Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). The study involved a comparative analysis between quantum algorithms and classical optimization techniques using performance metrics like solution quality, computational time, and scalability. Data were gathered through simulation on a quantum computing platform, and results were analyzed using statistical methods to assess improvements. The results showed that quantum computing significantly outperformed classical methods in solving large-scale optimization problems. QAOA demonstrated a 30% improvement in solution quality for Max-Cut problems, and QA showed a 25% faster convergence in TSP compared to classical algorithms. Quantum algorithms demonstrated scalability advantages as the problem size increased, with quantum methods achieving up to a 40% reduction in computational time for large instances. Furthermore, 70% of the tested cases showed significant improvements in solution accuracy, confirming the potential of quantum computing in real-world AI applications. Quantum computing, through QAOA and QA, offers substantial improvements in solving complex optimization problems in AI, presenting a transformative opportunity for the future of optimization algorithms.
Combinatorial optimization problems pose significant computational challenges across various fields, from logistics to cryptography. Traditional computational methods often struggle with their exponential complexity, motivating exploration into alternative paradigms such as quantum computing. In this paper, we investigate the application of photonic quantum computing to solve combinatorial optimization problems. Leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, we demonstrate how photonic quantum computers can efficiently explore solution spaces and identify optimal solutions for a range of combinatorial problems. We provide an overview of quantum algorithms tailored for combinatorial optimization for different quantum architectures (boson sampling, quantum annealing and gate-based quantum computing). Additionally, we discuss the advantages and challenges of implementing those algorithms on photonic quantum hardware. Through experiments run on an 8-qumode photonic quantum device, as well as numerical simulations, we evaluate the performance of photonic quantum computers in solving representative combinatorial optimization problems, such as the Max-Cut problem and the Job Shop Scheduling Problem.
The integration of quantum algorithms into machine learning pipelines offers a promising direction for addressing complex combinatorial optimization problems inherent in graph-structured data. This study investigates the use of the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) as a quantum subroutine within a hybrid quantum–classical framework to enhance machine learning solutions for graph-based tasks. QAOA is employed to solve NP-hard graph optimization problems such as Max-Cut, graph coloring, and community detection, which are reformulated as Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problems. The solutions provided by QAOA are then incorporated into machine learning models, such as Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) or clustering algorithms, as enriched features or optimized graph partitions. The hybrid approach is evaluated on benchmark datasets, demonstrating competitive accuracy and improved scalability in certain problem instances compared to purely classical methods. The findings highlight the potential of leveraging near-term quantum hardware for augmenting classical learning systems in domains such as logistics, social network analysis, and computational biology.
Combinatorial optimization problems play a vital role in computer science and engineering, with applications in logistics, network design, finance, and resource allocation. However, many of these problems are NP-hard, making them computationally expensive to solve using classical optimization techniques, especially for large-scale instances. In recent years, quantum computing has emerged as a promising paradigm capable of addressing these limitations by leveraging quantum mechanical principles such as superposition and entanglement. This study investigates the application of quantum computing for solving combinatorial optimization problems, with a focus on algorithm design, complexity analysis, and real-world applicability. The research primarily employs the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and Grover's search algorithm to solve representative problems such as Max-Cut and the Knapsack problem. The performance of these algorithms is evaluated using key metrics including accuracy, execution time, and approximation ratio, and is compared with classical optimization techniques. The results demonstrate that QAOA is capable of generating near-optimal solutions, achieving accuracy levels of up to 93% for small problem instances. However, the study also highlights the challenges associated with current quantum systems, including noise, limited qubit availability, and increased execution time. Comparative analysis reveals that while classical methods remain more efficient for small-scale problems, quantum algorithms show significant potential for scalability and handling complex optimization tasks. The findings suggest that hybrid quantum-classical approaches offer a practical solution in the current Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era. The study concludes that although quantum computing is still evolving, it holds strong potential for transforming combinatorial optimization in the future.