New 'quantum' approach helps solve an old problem in materials science
One of the most important classes of problems that all scientists and mathematicians aspire to solve, due to their relevance in both science and real life, are optimization problems. From esoteric computer science puzzles to the more realistic problems of vehicle routing, investment portfolio design, and digital marketing—at the heart of it all lies an optimization problem that needs to be solved.
An appealing technique often used in solving such problems is the technique of 'quantum annealing,' a framework that tackles optimization problems by using 'quantum tunneling'—a quantum physical phenomenon—to pick out an optimum solution out of several candidate solutions. Ironically, it is in quantum mechanical problems where the technique has found rather scarce application. "Chemists and material scientists, who deal with quantum problems, are mostly unfamiliar with quantum annealing and so do not think to use it. Finding applications of this technique is therefore important for increasing its recognition as a useful method in this domain," says Prof. Ryo Maezono from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), who specializes in applying information science to the field of materials science.
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