A Quantum-Inspired Differential Evolution Algorithm for Solving the N-Queens Problem
Amer Draa1, Souham Meshoul2, Hichem Talbi3, and Mohamed Batouche2
1Computer Science Department, Mentouri University, Algeria
2Computer Science Department, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
3OE Faculty, Emir Abdelkader University, Algeria
1Computer Science Department, Mentouri University, Algeria
2Computer Science Department, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
3OE Faculty, Emir Abdelkader University, Algeria
Abstract: In this paper, a quantum-inspired differential evolution algorithm for solving the N-queens problem is presented. The N-queens problem aims at placing N queens on an NxN chessboard, in such a way that no queen could capture any of the others. The proposed algorithm is a novel hybridization between differential evolution algorithms and quantum computing principles. Accordingly, differential evolution algorithms have been enhanced by the adoption of some quantum concepts such as quantum bits and states superposition. The use of the quantum interference has allowed this hybrid approach to have a remarkable efficiency and good results.
Keywords: Quantum computing, differential evolution, N-queens problem, combinatorial optimization.
Received March 20, 2008; accepted July 8, 2008