A new hybrid classical-quantum algorithm for continuous global optimization problems

Grover’s algorithm can be employed in global optimization methods providing, in some cases, a quadratic speedup over classical algorithms. This paper describes a new method for continuous global optimization problems that uses a classical algorithm for finding a local minimum and Grover’s algorithm to escape from this local minimum. Such algorithms will be useful when quantum computers of reasonable size are available. Simulations with testbed functions and comparisons with algorithms from the literature are presented. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014