This paper introduces basic concepts of annealing-based quantum computing, also known as adiabatic quantum computing (AQC) and quantum annealing (QA), and surveys what is known about this novel computing paradigm. Extensive empirical research on physical quantum annealing processers built by D-Wave Systems has exposed many interesting features and properties. However, because of longstanding differences between abstract and empirical approaches to the study of computational performance, much of this work may not be considered relevant to questions of interest to complexity theory; by the same token, several theoretical results in quantum computing may be considered irrelevant to practical experience.

To address this communication gap, this paper proposes models of computation and of algorithms that lie on a scale of instantiation between pencil-and-paper abstraction and physical device. Models at intermediate points on these scales can provide a common language, allowing researchers from both ends to communicate and share their results. The paper also gives several examples of common terms that have different technical meanings in different regions of this highly multidisciplinary field, which can create barriers to effective communication across disciplines.

本文介绍了基于退火的量子计算（也称为绝热量子计算（AQC）和量子退火（QA））的基本概念，并概述了有关这种新型计算范例的知识。由D-Wave Systems建立的对物理量子退火处理器的广泛经验研究揭示了许多有趣的特征和特性。然而，由于计算性能研究的抽象方法和经验方法之间存在长期的差异，因此许多工作可能不被认为与复杂性理论所关注的问题有关。同样，可以认为量子计算中的一些理论结果与实际经验无关。

为了解决这种通信差距，本文提出了一种计算模型和算法模型，这些模型和算法位于铅笔和纸的抽象与物理设备之间实例化的规模上。在这些尺度上的中间点的模型可以提供一种通用语言，使两端的研究人员可以交流并共享他们的结果。本文还给出了几个常见术语的示例，这些通用术语在这个高度跨学科领域的不同区域中具有不同的技术含义，这可能会为跨学科有效沟通创造障碍。