Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing

Abstract This study demonstrates the application of quantum computing based quantum annealing to seismic traveltime inversion, a critical approach for inverting highly accurate velocity models. The seismic inversion problem is first converted into a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization proble...

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Main Authors: Hoang Anh Nguyen, Ali Tura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01188-8
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author Hoang Anh Nguyen
Ali Tura
author_facet Hoang Anh Nguyen
Ali Tura
author_sort Hoang Anh Nguyen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study demonstrates the application of quantum computing based quantum annealing to seismic traveltime inversion, a critical approach for inverting highly accurate velocity models. The seismic inversion problem is first converted into a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization problem, which the quantum annealer is specifically designed to solve. We then solve the problem via quantum annealing method. The inversion is applied on a synthetic velocity model, presenting a carbon storage scenario at depths of 1000–1300 m. As an application example, we also show the capacity of quantum computing to handle complex, noisy data environments. This work highlights the emerging potential of quantum computing in geophysical applications, providing a foundation for future developments in high-precision seismic imaging.
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spelling doaj-art-a7cfd2ee8e094045a53e76c2eb3dd00d2025-08-20T01:53:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-01188-8Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealingHoang Anh Nguyen0Ali Tura1Department of Geophysics, Colorado School of MinesDepartment of Geophysics, Colorado School of MinesAbstract This study demonstrates the application of quantum computing based quantum annealing to seismic traveltime inversion, a critical approach for inverting highly accurate velocity models. The seismic inversion problem is first converted into a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization problem, which the quantum annealer is specifically designed to solve. We then solve the problem via quantum annealing method. The inversion is applied on a synthetic velocity model, presenting a carbon storage scenario at depths of 1000–1300 m. As an application example, we also show the capacity of quantum computing to handle complex, noisy data environments. This work highlights the emerging potential of quantum computing in geophysical applications, providing a foundation for future developments in high-precision seismic imaging.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01188-8Quantum annealingSeismic inversionBoreholeCarbon storageTraveltime
spellingShingle Hoang Anh Nguyen
Ali Tura
Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing
Scientific Reports
Quantum annealing
Seismic inversion
Borehole
Carbon storage
Traveltime
title Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing
title_full Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing
title_fullStr Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing
title_full_unstemmed Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing
title_short Seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing
title_sort seismic traveltime inversion with quantum annealing
topic Quantum annealing
Seismic inversion
Borehole
Carbon storage
Traveltime
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-01188-8
work_keys_str_mv AT hoanganhnguyen seismictraveltimeinversionwithquantumannealing
AT alitura seismictraveltimeinversionwithquantumannealing