Nonlinear Quantum Mechanics Implies Polynomial-Time Solution for NP-Complete and # P Problems

Daniel S. Abrams and Seth Lloyd
Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 3992 – Published 2 November 1998
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Abstract

If quantum states exhibit small nonlinearities during time evolution, then quantum computers can be used to solve NP-complete and # P problems in polynomial time. We provide algorithms that solve NP-complete and # P oracle problems by exploiting nonlinear quantum logic gates. Using the Weinberg model as a simple example, the explicit construction of these gates is derived from the underlying physics. Nonlinear quantum algorithms are also presented using Polchinski type nonlinearities which do not allow for superluminal communication.

  • Received 27 January 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.81.3992

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Daniel S. Abrams*

  • Department of Physics, MIT 12-128b, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

Seth Lloyd

  • d'Arbeloff Laboratory for Information Sciences and Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT 3-160, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

  • *Email address: abrams@mit.edu
  • Email address: slloyd@mit.edu

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Vol. 81, Iss. 18 — 2 November 1998

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