Adaptive Quantum Annealing for Combinatorial Optimization
Jincheng Zhang
This paper presents an adaptive quantum annealing algorithm designed to improve the performance of quantum annealing in solving combinatorial optimization problems. Traditional quantum annealing relies on a fixed annealing schedule, which may not be optimal for all problems. This work introduces a novel approach that utilizes reinforcement learning to dynamically adjust the annealing parameters during the annealing process, based on the observed progress towards a solution. The algorithm learns an optimal annealing schedule by interacting with the quantum annealing system, maximizing the probability of finding a good solution within a given time limit. We demonstrate the theoretical framework and outline the core components of the adaptive algorithm, highlighting its potential advantages over conventional fixed-schedule quantum annealing. The key performance metric is the solution quality (e.g., objective function value) achieved after annealing. The algorithm's effectiveness is evaluated through conceptual analysis and design considerations. This approach aims to bridge the gap between the theoretical potential of quantum annealing and its practical application in solving real-world combinatorial optimization challenges.
•Aug 28, 2026•0 citations