Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 224, 89–110 (2015)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-02345-1

Review

Quantum annealing – foundations and frontiers

¹ School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
² Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

^a e-mail: eliahuco@post.tau.ac.il

Received: 25 August 2014
Revised: 16 December 2014
Published online: 5 February 2015

Abstract

We briefly review various computational methods for the solution of optimization problems. First, several classical methods such as Metropolis algorithm and simulated annealing are discussed. We continue with a description of quantum methods, namely adiabatic quantum computation and quantum annealing. Next, the new D-Wave computer and the recent progress in the field claimed by the D-Wave group are discussed. We present a set of criteria which can help in testing the quantum features of these computers. We conclude with a list of considerations with regard to future research.