Quantum annealing research at CMU: algorithms, hardware, applications

In this mini-review, we introduce and summarize research from the Quantum Technologies Group (QTG) at Carnegie Mellon University related to computational experience with quantum annealing, performed in collaboration with several other institutions including IIT-Madras and NASA (QuAIL). We present a novel hybrid quantum-classical heuristic algorithm (GAMA, Graver Augmented Multi-seed Algorithm) for non-linear, integer optimization, and illustrate it on an application (in cancer genomics). We then present an algebraic geometry-based algorithm for embedding a problem onto a hardware that is not fully connected, along with a companion Integer Programming (IP) approach. Next, we discuss the performance of two photonic devices - the Temporal Multiplexed Ising Machine (TMIM) and the Spatial Photonic Ising Machine (SPIM) - on Max-Cut and Number Partitioning instances. We close with an outline of the current work.