Quantum annealing and the Schrödinger-Langevin-Kostin equation

Abstract

We show, in the context of quantum combinatorial optimization, or quantum annealing, how the nonlinear Schrödinger-Langevin-Kostin equation can dynamically drive the system toward its ground state. We illustrate, moreover, how a frictional force of Kostin type can prevent the appearance of genuinely quantum problems such as Bloch oscillations and Anderson localization which would hinder an exhaustive search.

5 pages, 4 figures. To appear on Physical Review A