Quantum Walk-Based Graph Traversal for Feature Extraction

Jincheng Zhang

Published Aug 31, 2026• 0 citations

Abstract

This paper presents a novel approach to graph traversal and feature extraction leveraging the principles of quantum walks. Classical graph algorithms often suffer from performance limitations when dealing with large, complex graphs, primarily due to their sequential nature and the exponential growth of possible paths. Quantum walks, utilizing superposition and interference, provide a fundamentally different paradigm for graph exploration, offering the potential for significant speedups. We detail the theoretical framework for applying quantum walks to graph traversal, focusing on the efficient extraction of features from nodes and edges. The core concept involves mapping the graph's nodes and edges onto a quantum Hilbert space, allowing the quantum walk to explore the graph's connectivity in a probabilistic manner. We demonstrate how interference effects can be strategically utilized to guide the walk towards regions of interest, thereby enhancing feature extraction. The methodology outlined here provides a robust foundation for developing quantum algorithms for graph analysis across various domains, including social network analysis, knowledge graph reasoning, and anomaly detection. This work establishes a new direction for graph processing, shifting from classical sequential algorithms to quantum probabilistic exploration, ultimately leading to improved efficiency and scalability.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22198444

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