Exploring Complex Networks with Quantum Walks

by Fei Yan, Wen Liang, Fangyan Dong

Overview

This book explores the intersection of quantum computing and network science. It bridges the theoretical foundations of quantum walk algorithms with their applications in the structural exploration and representation learning of complex networks.

Quantum walks, a technology that is pivotal to universal quantum computational models, examines the movement of particles on a graph composed of nodes and links. Quantum superposition enables these particles to traverse these graphs more quickly, while measurement-induced collapse introduces fluctuations, making the identification of critical nodes challenging yet intriguing. At its core, the book explores how quantum walk algorithms can transform the structural and representational analysis of complex networks. It begins by introducing the fundamental concepts of quantum computing and quantum walks, including generalized definitions and the properties of low-dimensional quantum walks. Then, it discusses the implementation of discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks for mining network nodes, links, and subgraphs, as well as their use in network representation learning and graph neural networks.

The book will serve as a valuable reference for researchers, students, and educators interested in quantum walks, complex networks, quantum mechanics, and information engineering.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781041153849
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	12/22/2025
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Fei Yan, PhD, is a professor at the School of Computer Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, China. He holds a PhD in Engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. His research interests include quantum information processing, complex networks, and image processing.

Wen Liang, PhD, is an associate professor at the School of Information Science and Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, China. He holds a PhD in Engineering from the Changchun University of Science and Technology, China. His research interests include complex networks and quantum walks.

Fangyan Dong, PhD, is a professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Ningbo University, China. She holds a PhD in Engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. Her research interests include computational intelligence, fuzzy systems, and quantum computing.

Table of Contents

1. Quantum Computing and Quantum Walks  2. Foundational Theory of Quantum Walks  3. Applications of Quantum Walks in Node Discovery  4. Applications of Quantum Walks in Link Mining  5. Applications of Quantum Walks in Community Detection  6. Applications of Quantum Walks in Network Representation Learning  7. Conclusions