Quantum Optimization with a Novel Gibbs Objective Function and Ansatz Architecture Search

Understand

The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is a standard method for combinatorial optimization with a gate-based quantum computer.

• The QAOA consists of a particular ansatz for the quantum circuit architecture, together with a prescription for choosing the variational parameters of the circuit.
• We propose modifications to both.
• First, we define the Gibbs objective function and show that it is superior to the energy expectation value for use as an objective function in tuning the variational parameters.