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Performing Bang-Anneal-Bang Quantum Optimization

Published Patent Application Number: WO 2022/241146 A1

Problem

Optimization problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). Previous quantum protocols are slower.

Invention

A new quantum protocol called the “bang-anneal-bang” protocol, for solving optimization problems such as the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) on a quantum computer. 

Potential Commercial Applications

  • Commerce, warfare, etc.
  • Drug design, material synthesis, etc. 

Competitive Advantage

Our protocol performs better (gets to the optimum faster or gets closer to the optimum under a fixed time constraint) than existing protocols, including quantum annealing, the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA), and the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE).

Created October 26, 2023, Updated September 17, 2025
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