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  • Open Access

Multiplayer conflict avoidance through entangled quantum walks

Honoka Shiratori1, Tomoki Yamagami2,*, Etsuo Segawa3, Takatomo Mihana1, André Röhm1, and Ryoichi Horisaki1

  • 1Department of Information Physics and Computing, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
  • 2Department of Information and Computer Sciences, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama City, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
  • 3Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-1 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan

  • *Contact author: tyamagami@mail.saitama-u.ac.jp
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Phys. Rev. A 112, 062439 – Published 19 December, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/zxx8-j2d4

Abstract

Quantum computing has the potential to solve complex problems faster and more efficiently than classical computing. It can achieve speedups by leveraging quantum phenomena like superposition, entanglement, and tunneling. Quantum walks (QWs) form the foundation for many quantum algorithms. Unlike classical random walks, QWs exhibit quantum interference, leading to unique behaviors such as linear spreading and localization. These properties make QWs valuable for various applications, including universal computation, time series prediction, encryption, and quantum hash functions. One emerging application of QWs is decision-making. Previous research has used QWs to model human decision processes and solve multiarmed bandit problems. This paper extends QWs to collective decision-making, focusing on minimizing decision conflicts, cases where multiple agents choose the same option, leading to inefficiencies like traffic congestion or overloaded servers. Prior research using quantum interference has addressed two-player conflict avoidance but struggled with three-player scenarios. This paper proposes a method using QWs to entirely eliminate decision conflicts in three-player cases, demonstrating its effectiveness in collective decision-making.

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Phys. Rev. A 112, 062439– Published 19 December, 2025
  • Received 23 June 2025
  • Accepted 13 November 2025
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