Quantum-Inspired Constraint Satisfaction with Tensor Networks
Jincheng Zhang
Constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) are ubiquitous in various domains, including artificial intelligence, circuit design, and scheduling. Traditional CSP solvers often struggle with problems exhibiting high dimensionality and complex constraints, leading to exponential time complexity in the worst case. This paper proposes a novel approach to CSP solving that draws inspiration from quantum mechanics, specifically superposition and entanglement, through the utilization of tensor networks and quantum-inspired algorithms. We represent CSP variables and constraints using tensor networks, allowing for efficient storage and manipulation of complex relationships. Furthermore, we employ quantum walks, a quantum-inspired search algorithm, to perform constraint propagation and explore the solution space. This approach aims to achieve significant performance gains by effectively exploiting the inherent parallelism and exploration capabilities associated with quantum phenomena. The core claim is that these quantum-inspired techniques can efficiently explore the solution space of CSPs, particularly those with high dimensionality. The mechanism involves tensor network representation and quantum walk-based search. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated through theoretical analysis and a conceptual framework, paving the way for future research and development in applying quantum-inspired methods to classical problem-solving.
•Aug 28, 2026•0 citations