Quantum Elastic Net and the Traveling Salesman Problem

Abstract

Theory of computer calculations strongly depends on the nature of elements the computer is made of. Quantum interference allows to formulate the Shor factorization algorithm turned out to be more effective than any one written for classical computers. Similarly, quantum wave packet reduction allows to devise the Grover search algorithm which outperforms any classical one. In the present paper we argue that the quantum incoherent tunneling can be used for elaboration of new algorithms able to solve some NP-hard problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem, considered to be intractable in the classical theory of computer computations.