Benchmarking quantum annealing dynamics: the spin-vector Langevin model

TL;DR

This paper introduces the spin-vector Langevin (SVL) model as a new benchmark for quantum annealing dynamics, providing a more accurate and stringent test than the traditional SVMC model, and successfully reproduces experimental D-Wave data.

Contribution

The paper presents the SVL model as an alternative to SVMC, incorporating Langevin dynamics for better simulation of annealing processes and quantum signatures.

Findings

SVL reproduces D-Wave experimental data

SVL captures Kibble-Zurek scaling in symmetry breaking

SVL offers a more stringent benchmark than SVMC

Abstract

The classical spin-vector Monte Carlo (SVMC) model is a reference benchmark for the performance of a quantum annealer. Yet, as a Monte Carlo method, SVMC is unsuited for an accurate description of the annealing dynamics in real-time.We introduce the spin-vector Langevin (SVL) model as an alternative benchmark in which the time evolution is described by Langevin dynamics. The SVL model is shown to provide a more stringent test than the SVMC model for the identification of quantum signatures in the performance of quantum annealing devices, as we illustrate by describing the Kibble-Zurek scaling associated with the dynamics of symmetry breaking in the transverse field Ising model, recently probed using D-Wave machines. Specifically, we show that D-Wave data are reproduced by the SVL model.