https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-026-02506-5
Regular Article
Generating constraint-satisfying melodies on a neutral atom quantum computer
1
First QFM, Nacka, Stockholm County, Sweden
2
Rethinc Labs UNC, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
3
Björknässkolan, Nacka, Stockholm County, Sweden
4
Nacka musikskola, Nacka, Stockholm County, Sweden
a
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Received:
18
January
2026
Accepted:
25
June
2026
Published online:
6
July
2026
Abstract
Many problems in algorithmic music generation have no known efficient solution on a classical computer. Combining constraints in an arrangement, such as consonance requirements and transition speed limitations, leads to NP-hard problems. We consider the use of neutral atom quantum computers, which have experimentally demonstrated superlinear speed-ups in the solution of certain unit-disk maximum independent set (UD-MIS) problems, to solve constrained algorithmic music generation problems. We apply this approach to produce constrained variations of classical guitar melodies.
Isaiah Hull led the research design, quantum computing methodology, and manuscript preparation. Moses Hull contributed to the musical elements, graphical illustrations, and evaluation of melodic quality.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
