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arXiv:2109.04576 · Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation

Analytical Nonadiabatic Couplings and Gradients within the State-Averaged Orbital-Optimized Variational Quantum Eigensolver

Saad Yalouz, Emiel Koridon, Bruno Senjean, Benjamin Lasorne, Francesco Buda, Lucas Visscher

Published Jan 14, 2022• 42 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We introduce several technical and analytical extensions to our recent state-averaged orbital-optimized variational quantum eigensolver (SA-OO-VQE) algorithm (see Yalouz et al. Quantum Sci. Technol . 2021, 6, 024004). Motivated by the limitations of current quantum computers, the first extension consists of an efficient state-resolution procedure to find the SA-OO-VQE eigenstates, and not just the subspace spanned by them, while remaining in the equi-ensemble framework. This approach avoids expensive intermediate resolutions of the eigenstates by postponing this problem to the very end of the full algorithm. The second extension allows for the estimation of analytical gradients and nonadiabatic couplings, which are crucial in many practical situations ranging from the search of conical intersections to the simulation of quantum dynamics, in, for example, photoisomerization reactions. The accuracy of our new implementations is demonstrated on the formaldimine molecule CH 2 NH (a minimal Schiff base model relevant for the study of photoisomerization in larger biomolecules), for which we also perform a geometry optimization to locate a conical intersection between the ground and first-excited electronic states of the molecule.

DOI
10.1021/acs.jctc.1c00995

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We introduce several technical and analytical extensions to our recent state-averaged orbital-optimized variational quantum eigensolver (SA-OO-VQE) algorithm (see Yalouz et al. Quantum Sci. Technol . 2021, 6, 024004). Motivated by the limitations of current quantum computers, the first extension consists of an efficient state-resolution procedure to find the SA-OO-VQE eigenstates, and not just the subspace spanned by them, while remaining in the equi-ensemble framework. This approach avoids expensive intermediate resolutions of the eigenstates by postponing this problem to the very end of the full algorithm. The second extension allows for the estimation of analytical gradients and nonadiabatic couplings, which are crucial in many practical situations ranging from the search of conical intersections to the simulation of quantum dynamics, in, for example, photoisomerization reactions. The accuracy of our new implementations is demonstrated on the formaldimine molecule CH 2 NH (a minimal Schiff base model relevant for the study of photoisomerization in larger biomolecules), for which we also perform a geometry optimization to locate a conical intersection between the ground and first-excited electronic states of the molecule.
In the present work, we examine how the recent quantum-computing algorithm known as the state-average orbital-optimized variational quantum eigensolver (SA-OO-VQE), viewed within the context of quantum chemistry as a type of multiconfiguration self-consistent field (MCSCF) electronic-structure approach, exhibits a propensity to produce an ab initio quasi-diabatic representation “for free” if considered as a least-transformed block-diagonalization procedure, as alluded to in our previous work (Yalouz, S. et al. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2022, 18, 776−794) and thoroughly assessed herein. To this end, we introduce intrinsic and residual descriptors of diabaticity and re-explore the definition and linear-algebra properties, as well as their consequences on the vibronic nonadiabatic couplings, of an optimal diabatic representation within this context and how much one may deviate from it. Such considerations are illustrated numerically in the prototypical case of formaldimine, which presents a well-known conical intersection between its ground and first-excited singlet electronic states.
Abstract In the noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) era, solving the electronic structure problem from chemistry is considered as the ‘killer application’ for near-term quantum devices. In spite of the success of variational hybrid quantum/classical algorithms in providing accurate energy profiles for small molecules, careful considerations are still required for the description of complicated features of potential energy surfaces. Because the current quantum resources are very limited, it is common to focus on a restricted part of the Hilbert space (determined by the set of active orbitals). While physically motivated, this approximation can severely impact the description of these complicated features. A perfect example is that of conical intersections (i.e. a singular point of degeneracy between electronic states), which are of primary importance to understand many prominent reactions. Designing active spaces so that the improved accuracy from a quantum computer is not rendered useless is key to finding useful applications of these promising devices within the field of chemistry. To answer this issue, we introduce a NISQ-friendly method called ‘state-averaged orbital-optimized variational quantum eigensolver’ which combines two algorithms: (1) a state-averaged orbital-optimizer, and (2) a state-averaged VQE. To demonstrate the success of the method, we classically simulate it on a minimal Schiff base model (namely the formaldimine molecule CH 2 NH) relevant also for the photoisomerization in rhodopsin—a crucial step in the process of vision mediated by the presence of a conical intersection. We show that merging both algorithms fulfil the necessary condition to describe the molecule’s conical intersection, i.e. the ability to treat degenerate (or quasi-degenerate) states on the same footing.
The accurate calculation of electronic potential energy surfaces for ground and excited states is crucial for understanding photochemical processes, particularly near conical intersections. While classical methods are limited by scaling and quantum algorithms by hardware, this thesis focuses on the State-Averaged Orbital-Optimized Variational Quantum Eigensolver (SA-OO-VQE). This hybrid quantum-classical algorithm provides a balanced description of multiple electronic states by combining quantum state preparation with classical state-averaged orbital optimization. A key contribution is the implementation and evaluation of the Differential Evolution algorithm within the SA-OO-VQE framework, with a comparative study against classical optimizers like the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) and Sequential Least Squares Programming (SLSQP) algorithms. The performance of these optimizers is assessed by calculating ground and first excited state energies for H2_22​, H4_44​, and LiH. The thesis also demonstrates SA-OO-VQE's capability to accurately model potential energy surfaces near conical intersections, using formaldimine as a case study. The results show that orbital optimization is essential for correctly capturing the potential energy surface topology, a task where standard methods with fixed orbitals fail. Our findings indicate that while Differential Evolution presents efficiency challenges, gradient-based methods like BFGS and SLSQP offer superior performance, confirming that the SA-OO-VQE approach is crucial for treating complex electronic structures.
Elucidating photochemical reactions is vital to understanding various biochemical phenomena and developing functional materials such as artificial photosynthesis and organic solar cells, albeit with notorious difficulty in both experiments and theories. The best theoretical way so far to analyze photochemical reactions at the level of ab initio electronic structure is the state-averaged multiconfigurational self-consistent field (SA-MCSCF) method. However, the exponential computational cost of classical computers with the increasing number of molecular orbitals hinders applications of SA-MCSCF for large systems we are interested in. Utilizing quantum computers was recently proposed as a promising approach to overcome such computational cost, dubbed as state-averaged orbital-optimized variational quantum eigensolver (SA-OO-VQE). Here, we extend a theory of SA-OO-VQE so that analytical gradients of energy can be evaluated by standard techniques that are feasible with near-term quantum computers. The analytical gradients, known only for the state-specific OO-VQE in previous studies, allow us to determine various characteristics of photochemical reactions such as the conical intersection (CI) points. We perform a proof-of-principle calculation of our methods by applying it to the photochemical cis–trans isomerization of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. Numerical simulations of quantum circuits and measurements can correctly capture the photochemical reaction pathway of this model system, including the CI points. Our results illustrate the possibility of leveraging quantum computers for studying photochemical reactions.
Within the present noisy intermediate-scale quantum-computing era, hybrid quantum-classical-processor algorithms have emerged as promising avenues for tackling electronic-structure eigenproblems. Among them, the so-called ensemble-variational quantum eigensolver has been designed to treat ground and excited states on an equal footing and proven effective in capturing features such as conical intersections and avoided crossings between two electronic states, as we recently demonstrated for formaldimine. We also showed on that example how the underlying ensemble-variational principle was prone to provide a quasi-diabatic representation "for free". To date, this method has been limited to computing only two eigenstates of a Hamiltonian. The aim of the present paper is to show how and under what conditions this can be generalized to models that involve three coupled electronic states or more. Our approach relies on designing a parameterized basis transformation that can directly be implemented on a quantum computer for further post-treatment. This nontrivial step is accompanied by the development of quantum circuits specifically adapted to the several states of interest. An algebraic optimization strategy for the parameters of the basis transformation is formulated to obtain the target eigenstates as well as the optimally diabatic states under various objective flavors of the ensemble-variational principle. Our approach was tested for addressing the first three coupled electronic states of the H4+_4^+4+​ molecular ion as a proof of principle, with three electrons in four spatial orbitals, along various geometries.
Elucidating photochemical reactions is vital to understand various biochemical phenomena and develop functional materials such as artificial photosynthesis and organic solar cells, albeit its notorious difficulty by both experiments and theories. The best theoretical way so far to analyze photochemical reactions at the level of ab initio electronic structure is the state-averaged multi-configurational self-consistent field (SA-MCSCF) method. However, the exponential computational cost of classical computers with the increasing number of molecular orbitals hinders applications of SA-MCSCF for large systems we are interested in. Utilizing quantum computers was recently proposed as a promising approach to overcome such computational cost, dubbed as SA orbital-optimized variational quantum eigensolver (SA-OO-VQE). Here we extend a theory of SA-OO-VQE so that analytical gradients of energy can be evaluated by standard techniques that are feasible with near-term quantum computers. The analytical gradients, known only for the state-specific OO-VQE in previous studies, allow us to determine various characteristics of photochemical reactions such as the minimal energy (ME) points and the conical intersection (CI) points. We perform a proof-of-principle calculation of our methods by applying it to the photochemical {\it cis-trans} isomerization of 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. Numerical simulations of quantum circuits and measurements can correctly capture the photochemical reaction pathway of this model system, including the ME and CI points. Our results illustrate the possibility of leveraging quantum computers for studying photochemical reactions.