Continuous-time quantum optimization without the adiabatic principle
Physical Review A American Physical Society (APS) 111:3 (2025) 032414
Authors:
Robert J Banks, Georgios S Raftis, Dan E Browne, PA Warburton
Abstract:
Continuous-time quantum algorithms for combinatorial optimization problems, such as quantum annealing, have previously been motivated by the adiabatic principle. A number of continuous-time approaches exploit dynamics, however, and therefore are no longer physically motivated by the adiabatic principle. In this work, we take Planck's principle as the underlying physical motivation for continuous-time quantum algorithms. Planck's principle states that the energy of an isolated system cannot decrease as the result of a cyclic process. We use this principle to justify monotonic schedules in quantum annealing, which are not adiabatic. This approach also highlights the limitations of reverse quantum annealing in an isolated system.
