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Quantum k-community detection: algorithm proposals and cross-architectural evaluation

Felix Gemeinhardt, Robert Wille, Manuel Wimmer

Published Sep 1, 2021• 15 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract Emerging quantum technologies represent a promising alternative for solving hard combinatorial problems in the post-Moore’s law era. For practical purposes, however, the current number of qubits limits the direct applicability to larger real-world instances in the near-term future. Therefore, a promising strategy to overcome this issue is represented by hybrid quantum classical algorithms which leverage classical as well as quantum devices. One prominent example of a hard computational problem is the community detection problem: a partition of a graph into distinct communities such that the ratio between intra-community and inter-community connectivity is maximized. In this paper, we explore the current potential of quantum annealing and gate-based quantum technologies to solve the community detection problem for an arbitrary number of communities. For this purpose, existing algorithms are (re-)implemented and new hybrid algorithms, that can be run on gate-model devices, are proposed. Their performance on standardized benchmark graphs has been evaluated and compared to the one of a state-of-the-art classical heuristic algorithm. Although no quantum speed-up has been achieved, the existing quantum annealing-based methods as well as the novel hybrid algorithms for gate-based quantum computers yield modularity values, which are similar to those of the classical heuristic. However, the modular architecture of the used algorithms allows for fast utilization of more powerful quantum technologies once they become available.Reproducibility:Our code and data are publicly available (Github in Quantum Modularization. https://github.com/jku-win se/quantum_modularization 2021).

DOI
10.1007/s11128-021-03239-1

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Abstract Emerging quantum technologies represent a promising alternative for solving hard combinatorial problems in the post-Moore’s law era. For practical purposes, however, the current number of qubits limits the direct applicability to larger real-world instances in the near-term future. Therefore, a promising strategy to overcome this issue is represented by hybrid quantum classical algorithms which leverage classical as well as quantum devices. One prominent example of a hard computational problem is the community detection problem: a partition of a graph into distinct communities such that the ratio between intra-community and inter-community connectivity is maximized. In this paper, we explore the current potential of quantum annealing and gate-based quantum technologies to solve the community detection problem for an arbitrary number of communities. For this purpose, existing algorithms are (re-)implemented and new hybrid algorithms, that can be run on gate-model devices, are proposed. Their performance on standardized benchmark graphs has been evaluated and compared to the one of a state-of-the-art classical heuristic algorithm. Although no quantum speed-up has been achieved, the existing quantum annealing-based methods as well as the novel hybrid algorithms for gate-based quantum computers yield modularity values, which are similar to those of the classical heuristic. However, the modular architecture of the used algorithms allows for fast utilization of more powerful quantum technologies once they become available.Reproducibility:Our code and data are publicly available (Github in Quantum Modularization. https://github.com/jku-win se/quantum_modularization 2021).
Emerging quantum processors provide an opportunity to explore new approaches for solving traditional problems in the post Moore’s law supercomputing era. However, the limited number of qubits makes it infeasible to tackle massive real-world datasets directly in the near future, leading to new challenges in utilizing these quantum processors for practical purposes. Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms that leverage both quantum and classical types of devices are considered as one of the main strategies to apply quantum computing to large-scale problems. In this article, we advocate the use of multilevel frameworks for combinatorial optimization as a promising general paradigm for designing hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. To demonstrate this approach, we apply this method to two well-known combinatorial optimization problems, namely, the Graph Partitioning Problem, and the Community Detection Problem. We develop hybrid multilevel solvers with quantum local search on D-Wave’s quantum annealer and IBM’s gate-model based quantum processor. We carry out experiments on graphs that are orders of magnitude larger than the current quantum hardware size, and we observe results comparable to state-of-the-art solvers in terms of quality of the solution. Reproducibility : Our code and data are available at Reference [1].
After decades of being mainly confined to theoretical research, Quantum Computing is now becoming a useful tool for solving realistic problems. This work aims to experimentally explore the feasibility of using currently available quantum computers, based on the Quantum Annealing paradigm, to build a recommender system exploiting community detection. Community detection, by partitioning users and items into densely connected clusters, can boost the accuracy of non-personalized recommendation by assuming that users within each community share similar tastes. However, community detection is a computationally expensive process. The recent availability of Quantum Annealers as cloud-based devices, constitutes a new and promising direction to explore community detection, although effectively leveraging this new technology is a long-term path that still requires advancements in both hardware and algorithms. This work aims to begin this path by assessing the quality of community detection formulated as a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization problem on a real recommendation scenario. Results on several datasets show that the quantum solver is able to detect communities of comparable quality with respect to classical solvers, but with better speedup, and the non-personalized recommendation models built on top of these communities exhibit improved recommendation quality. The takeaway is that quantum computing, although in its early stages of maturity and applicability, shows promise in its ability to support new recommendation models and to bring improved scalability as technology evolves.
One of the roadmap plans for quantum computers is an integration within HPC ecosystems assigning them a role of accelerators for a variety of computationally hard tasks. However, in the near term, quantum hardware will be in a constant state of change. Heading towards solving real-world problems, we advocate development of portable, architecture-agnostic hybrid quantum-classical frameworks and demonstrate one for the community detection problem evaluated using quantum annealing and gate-based universal quantum computation paradigms.
With the increase of intermittent renewable generation resources feeding into the electrical grid, Distribution System Operators (DSOs) must find ways to incorporate these new actors and adapt the grid to ensure stability and enable flexibility. Dividing the grid into logical clusters entails several organization and technical benefits, helping overcome these challenges.However, finding the optimal grid partitioning remains a challenging task due to its complexity. At the same time, a new technology has gained traction in the last decades for its promising speed-up potential in solving non-trivial combinatorial optimization problems: quantum computing. This work explores its application in Graph Partitioning using electrical modularity. We benchmarked several quantum annealing and hybrid methods on IEEE well-known test cases. The results obtained for the IEEE 14-bus test case show that quantum annealing DWaveSampler brings equal solutions or, for the optimal number partitions, a 1% improvement. For the more significant test cases, hybrid quantum annealing shows a relative error of less than 0.02% compared to the classical benchmark and for IEEE 118-bus test case shows time performance speed-up. The increment in performance would enable real time planning and operations of electrical grids in real time. This work intends to be the first step to showcase the potentials of quantum computing towards the modernization and adaption of electrical grids to the decentralized future of energy systems.
Emerging quantum processors provide an opportunity to explore new approaches for solving traditional problems in the Post Moore's law supercomputing era. However, the limited number of qubits makes it infeasible to tackle massive real-world datasets directly in the near future, leading to new challenges in utilizing these quantum processors for practical purposes. Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms that leverage both quantum and classical types of devices are considered as one of the main strategies to apply quantum computing to large-scale problems. In this paper, we advocate the use of multilevel frameworks for combinatorial optimization as a promising general paradigm for designing hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. In order to demonstrate this approach, we apply this method to two well-known combinatorial optimization problems, namely, the Graph Partitioning Problem, and the Community Detection Problem. We develop hybrid multilevel solvers with quantum local search on D-Wave's quantum annealer and IBM's gate-model based quantum processor. We carry out experiments on graphs that are orders of magnitudes larger than the current quantum hardware size and observe results comparable to state-of-the-art solvers.
Recent advancements in network neuroscience are pointing in the direction of considering the brain as a small-world system with an efficient integration-segregation balance that facilitates different cognitive tasks and functions. In this context, community detection is a pivotal issue in computational neuroscience. In this paper we explored community detection within brain connectomes using the power of quantum annealers, and in particular the Leap's Hybrid Solver in D-Wave. By reframing the modularity optimization problem into a Discrete Quadratic Model, we show that quantum annealers achieved higher modularity indices compared to the Louvain Community Detection Algorithm without the need to overcomplicate the mathematical formulation. We also found that the number of communities detected in brain connectomes slightly differed while still being biologically interpretable. These promising preliminary results, together with recent findings, strengthen the claim that quantum optimization methods might be a suitable alternative against classical approaches when dealing with community assignment in networks.