Classical variational simulation of the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm

Understand

A key open question in quantum computing is whether quantum algorithms can potentially offer a significant advantage over classical algorithms for tasks of practical interest.

• Understanding the limits of classical computing in simulating quantum systems is an important component of addressing this question.
• We introduce a method to simulate layered quantum circuits consisting of parametrized gates, an architecture behind many variational quantum algorithms suitable for near-term quantum computers.
• A neural-network parametrization of the many-qubit wave function is used, focusing on states relevant for the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA).