MilestoneTheory & algorithmsConfirmed

Kadowaki and Nishimori study quantum annealing for optimization

Apr 25, 1998

Tadashi Kadowaki and Hidetoshi Nishimori propose using quantum fluctuations to search for low-energy solutions to optimization problems. They test the approach numerically on small spin systems with a changing transverse field.

Why it matters

Quantum annealing searches for useful solutions by steering a system toward its lowest energy; this early study lays groundwork for machines built for optimization.

Tadashi Kadowaki · Hidetoshi Nishimori · Tokyo Institute of Technology

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Related

• Farhi and colleagues propose computing by slowly changing a quantum system (Jan 28, 2000)
• Lockheed Martin buys the D-Wave One, billed as the first commercial quantum computer (May 2011)