Current universal quantum computers have a limited number of noisy qubits. Because of this, it is difficult to use them to solve large-scale complex optimization problems. In this paper we tackle this issue by proposing a quantum optimization scheme where discrete classical variables are encoded in non-orthogonal states of the quantum system. We develop the case of non-orthogonal qubit states, with individual qubits on the quantum computer handling more than one bit classical variable. Combining this idea with Variational Quantum Eigensolvers (VQE) and quantum state tomography, we show that it is possible to significantly reduce the number of qubits required by quantum hardware to solve complex optimization problems. We benchmark our algorithm by successfully optimizing a polynomial of degree 8 and 15 variables using only 15 qubits. Our proposal opens the path towards solving real-life useful optimization problems in today's limited quantum hardware.
Current universal quantum computers have a limited number of noisy qubits. Because of this, it is difficult to use them to solve large-scale complex optimization problems. In this paper we tackle this issue by proposing a quantum optimization scheme where discrete classical variables are encoded in non-orthogonal states of the quantum system. We develop the case of non-orthogonal qubit states, with individual qubits on the quantum computer handling more than one bit classical variable. Combining this idea with Variational Quantum Eigensolvers (VQE) and quantum state tomography, we show that it is possible to significantly reduce the number of qubits required by quantum hardware to solve complex optimization problems. We benchmark our algorithm by successfully optimizing a polynomial of degree 8 and 15 variables using only 15 qubits. Our proposal opens the path towards solving real-life useful optimization problems in today's limited quantum hardware.
Variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), a kind of quantum-classical hybrid method, has latent powers to leverage noisy quantum devices by effectively managing a limited number of qubits with finite coherent times. We implemented VQE with real quantum processors through IBM Quantum Experience and applied it to combinatorial optimizations. Notably, a short-depth quantum circuit consisting of a lower number of quantum gate than that in the quantum approximate optimization algorithm can search the ground states of diagonal Hamiltonians encoding the problems. Since the simplest case of the quantum circuit for VQE requires only single-qubit gates, it can be realized using current quantum computers.
This work studies the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) algorithm, which is designed to determine the ground state of a quantum mechanical system by combining classical and quantum hardware. Two methods of reducing the number of required qubit manipulations, prone to induce errors, for the variational quantum eigensolver are studied. First, we formally justify the multiple ℤ2 symmetry qubit reduction scheme first sketched by Bravyi et al. [arXiv:1701.08213 (2017)]. Second, we show that even in small, but non-trivial systems such as H2, LiH, and H2O, the choice of entangling methods (gate based or native) gives rise to varying rates of convergence to the ground state of the system. Through both the removal of qubits and the choice of entangler, the demands on the quantum hardware can be reduced. We find that in general, analyzing the VQE problem is complex, where the number of qubits, the method of entangling, and the depth of the search space all interact. In specific cases however, concrete results can be shown, and an entangling method can be recommended over others as it outperforms in terms of difference from the ground state energy.
This paper presents a qualitative analysis of hybrid quantum-classical computing approaches aimed at solving complex optimization problems using near-term quantum processors. Hybrid algorithms leverage the strengths of quantum and classical computing to tackle computationally intensive tasks often constrained by current quantum hardware limitations. Through an extensive literature review and synthesis of recent empirical studies, we benchmark various hybrid algorithms, such as the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) and Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), focusing on their performance, scalability, and practical applicability on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. The study highlights the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of integrating hybrid quantum-classical computation in optimization domains, providing a comprehensive framework and qualitative insights into benchmarking methodologies and critical performance metrics.
Here we show how universal quantum computers based on the quantum circuit model can handle mathematical analysis calculations for functions with continuous domains, without any digitalization, and with remarkably few qubits. The basic building block of our approach is a variational quantum circuit where each qubit encodes up to three continuous variables (two angles and one radious in the Bloch sphere). By combining this encoding with quantum state tomography, a variational quantum circuit of n qubits can optimize functions of up to 3n continuous variables in an analog way. We then explain how this quantum algorithm for continuous optimization is at the basis of a whole toolbox for mathematical analysis on quantum computers. For instance, we show how to use it to compute arbitrary series expansions such as, e.g., Fourier (harmonic) decompositions. In turn, Fourier analysis allows us to implement essentially any task related to function calculus, including the evaluation of multidimensional definite integrals, solving (systems of) differential equations, and more. To prove the validity of our approach, we provide benchmarking calculations for many of these use-cases implemented on a quantum computer simulator. The advantages with respect to classical algorithms for mathematical analysis, as well as perspectives and possible extensions, are also discussed.
Quantum computing is a rapidly developing field that has seen a huge amount of interest in the last couple of decades due to its promise of revolutionizing several domains of business and science. It presents a new way of doing computations by making use of fundamental properties of quantum mechanics such as superposition and entanglement. Optimization, on the other hand, is a field that is omnipresent in the industry and where small improvements can have a significant impact. This thesis aims to tackle optimization problems using quantum algorithms.NP-hard optimization problems are not believed to be exactly solvable through general polynomial time algorithms. Variational quantum algorithms (VQAs) to address such combinatorial problems have been of great interest recently. Such algorithms are heuristic and aim to obtain an approximate solution. The hardware, however, is still in its infancy and the current Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) computers are not able to optimize industrially relevant problems. Moreover, the storage of qubits and introduction of entanglement require extreme physical conditions.An issue with contemporary quantum optimization algorithms such as the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is that they scale linearly with problem size. To tackle this issue, we present the LogQ encoding, using which we can design quantum variational algorithms that scale logarithmically with problem size - opening an avenue for treating optimization problems of unprecedented scale on gate-based quantum computers. We show how this algorithm can be applied to several combinatorial optimization problems such as Maximum Cut, Minimum Partition, Maximum Clique and Maximum Weighted Independent Set (MWIS). Subsequently, these algorithms are tested on a quantum simulator with graph sizes of over a hundred nodes and on a real quantum computer up to graph sizes of 256. To our knowledge, these constitute the largest realistic combinatorial optimization problems ever run on a NISQ device, overcoming previous problem sizes by almost tenfold.Next, we apply the LogQ encoding to two use-cases for large companies such as TotalEnergies. Fleet conversion is the process of transitioning a fleet of vehicles to more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. It is modeled as a column generation scheme with the MWIS problem as the sub-problem or worker problem. We use the LogQ method to solve the MWIS Workers and demonstrate how quantum and classical solvers can be used together in a hybrid manner to approach an industrial-sized use-case. Mesh segmentation refers to the process of dividing a complex mesh (composed of vertices, edges, and faces) into meaningful and semantically coherent parts or regions. Mesh segmentation plays an important part in computer modeling, which is extensively used in the core domains of TotalEnergies' activities such as Earth imaging, physical modeling for reservoirs, and others. We define the problem as a graph optimization problem and use the LogQ encoding to solve it.
Quantum computers hold the promise of more efficient combinatorial optimization solvers, which could be game-changing for a broad range of applications. However, a bottleneck for materializing such advantages is that, in order to challenge classical algorithms in practice, mainstream approaches require a number of qubits prohibitively large for near-term hardware. Here we introduce a variational solver for MaxCut problems over m=O(nk) binary variables using only n qubits, with tunable k > 1. The number of parameters and circuit depth display mild linear and sublinear scalings in m, respectively. Moreover, we analytically prove that the specific qubit-efficient encoding brings in a super-polynomial mitigation of barren plateaus as a built-in feature. Altogether, this leads to high quantum-solver performances. For instance, for m = 7000, numerical simulations produce solutions competitive in quality with state-of-the-art classical solvers. In turn, for m = 2000, experiments with n = 17 trapped-ion qubits feature MaxCut approximation ratios estimated to be beyond the hardness threshold 0.941. Our findings offer an interesting heuristics for quantum-inspired solvers as well as a promising route towards solving commercially-relevant problems on near-term quantum devices. Combinatorial optimization problems might be solvable more efficiently with quantum computing, but near-term quantum optimization solvers are limited in qubit size. Here, the authors propose and demonstrate a variational quantum algorithm that polynomially reduces the qubit overhead for applications like MaxCut.