1. An apparatus for solving optimization problems, comprising: (a) a circuit lattice having a plurality of unit cells interconnected by a matrix of transmission gates; (b) wherein each unit cell is configured for setting a voltage as a state variable on a node in the circuit lattice for each unit cell position; and (c) wherein a transmissive mode of each transmission gate from said matrix of transmission gates is configured for being set in response to receiving a control signal to establish the transmissive mode of said transmission gate; (d) a controller configured for outputting bifurcation control signals to change operating characteristics of at least a portion of the unit cells, and for outputting coupling strength control signals for changing transmission characteristics of said transmission gates when implanting an objective function in said circuit lattice; and (e) a voltage registration circuit configured for registering state variable voltages in said circuit lattice and outputting these state variable voltages as digital signals to said controller; (f) wherein said controller is configured for implanting a problem of interest into the circuit lattice, and for controlling bifurcation to drive said circuit lattice between chaos, self-organized critical, or Markovian regimes by modifying bifurcation parameters, until a desired solution is obtained.