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For Fixed Control Parameters the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm's Objective Function Value Concentrates for Typical Instances

18 Pith papers cite this work. Polarity classification is still indexing.

18 Pith papers citing it
abstract

The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm, QAOA, uses a shallow depth quantum circuit to produce a parameter dependent state. For a given combinatorial optimization problem instance, the quantum expectation of the associated cost function is the parameter dependent objective function of the QAOA. We demonstrate that if the parameters are fixed and the instance comes from a reasonable distribution then the objective function value is concentrated in the sense that typical instances have (nearly) the same value of the objective function. This applies not just for optimal parameters as the whole landscape is instance independent. We can prove this is true for low depth quantum circuits for instances of MaxCut on large 3-regular graphs. Our results generalize beyond this example. We support the arguments with numerical examples that show remarkable concentration. For higher depth circuits the numerics also show concentration and we argue for this using the Law of Large Numbers. We also observe by simulation that if we find parameters which result in good performance at say 10 bits these same parameters result in good performance at say 24 bits. These findings suggest ways to run the QAOA that reduce or eliminate the use of the outer loop optimization and may allow us to find good solutions with fewer calls to the quantum computer.

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representative citing papers

QAOA Parameter Transfer for Hypergraphs

quant-ph · 2026-04-28 · unverdicted · novelty 7.0

Analytical reweighting rules for QAOA parameters on hypergraphs improve performance by adjusting mixing terms beyond previous graph-based methods.

Tensor network surrogate models for variational quantum computation

quant-ph · 2026-04-22 · unverdicted · novelty 6.0

Tensor network simulations act as effective surrogate models for training QAOA on large 2D lattices, overcoming limits of parameter transfer from small instances and remaining classically feasible with moderate bond dimensions.

Mind the gaps: The fraught road to quantum advantage

quant-ph · 2025-10-22 · unverdicted · novelty 3.0 · 2 refs

The paper identifies four key hurdles in the transition from NISQ to FASQ quantum computers and argues that targeting them will accelerate progress toward useful quantum advantage.

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Showing 18 of 18 citing papers.