Hybrid simulated annealing using Tsallis statistics

We use the Hybrid Monte Carlo method to sample the Tsallis configurational probability p(x) which depends on the parameter q. We use here a homogeneou s Markov chain which satisfies the detailed balance condition for all value s of q and we apply this method to Simulated Annealing optimization problem s. In two examples, a test function with many minima and the discrete Rando m phase sine-Gordon Model, we show the dependence on the q parameter of the ground state configuration energy obtained after annealing. We conclude th at the performance of the simulated annealing method is improved by using q > 1 values. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.