A Quantum Global Optimization Algorithm: Application to the Knapsack Problem

Solving combinatorial optimization problems represents a challenge for researchers, especially hard NP-complete problems that are commonly handled through heuristic methods providing approximate solutions. The emergence of quantum computing, which enables performing parallel computation, raises hope for solving such problems within a reasonable time frame. This paper proposes a quantum global optimization algorithm for solving combinatorial optimization problems with improved performance and runtime approaching Grover’s optimal time of quantum search. The algorithm determines the global optimum of the objective function defining the addressed problem using an enhanced application of Grover’s search by simultaneously exploring all comparison cases of possible solutions without requiring iterative operations, unlike previous approaches, which affect performance and runtime. The paper also introduces a version of the proposed algorithm for solving the knapsack problem, along with its execution results and a comparison with other competing algorithms.