Quantum processor based systems and methods that minimize an objective function

摘要

Quantum processor based techniques minimize an objective function for example by operating the quantum processor as a sample generator providing low-energy samples from a probability distribution with high probability. The probability distribution is shaped to assign relative probabilities to samples based on their corresponding objective function values until the samples converge on a minimum for the objective function. Problems having a number of variables and/or a connectivity between variables that does not match that of the quantum processor may be solved. Interaction with the quantum processor may be via a digital computer. The digital computer stores a hierarchical stack of software modules to facilitate interacting with the quantum processor via various levels of programming environment, from a machine language level up to an end-use applications level.

主权项

1. A method of operation in a hybrid problem solving system that comprises both a quantum processor and a digital computer to at least approximately solve a problem, the quantum processor and the digital computer communicatively coupled to one another and the quantum processor operated as a sample generator providing samples, the method comprising:
generating at least one sample from a probability distribution via the quantum processor, wherein a shape of the probability distribution depends on a configuration of a number of programmable parameters for the quantum processor and wherein a number of low-energy states of the quantum processor respectively correspond to a number of high probability samples of the probability distribution; processing the at least one sample via the digital computer; shaping the probability distribution of the quantum processor based on the processing of the at least one sample via the digital computer, wherein shaping the probability distribution of the quantum processor includes changing the configuration of the number of programmable parameters for the quantum processor to produce a shaped probability distribution; generating at least one additional sample from the shaped probability distribution via the quantum processor; processing the at least one additional sample via the digital computer; and determining an at least approximate solution to the problem via the digital computer based on the processing of the at least one additional sample via the digital computer.