AQIS '20: Patrick Coles, Promises and Challenges of Variational Quantum Algorithms

SPEAKER: Adjunct Assistant Professor Patrick Coles
AFFILIATION: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), USA
TITLE: Promises and Challenges of Variational Quantum Algorithms
SESSION CHAIR: Dr. Isaac Kim, University of Sydney, Australia

ABSTRACT:
Beyond finding ground states, new applications have recently emerged for Variational Quantum Algorithms (VQAs). These include dynamical simulation, metrology, solving linear systems, and principal component analysis, among others. Moreover, new tools are making VQAs more feasible, such as quantum-aware optimizers and error mitigation methods. VQAs also exhibit an intriguing resilience to certain types of noise. These signs point to VQAs soon providing quantum advantage for practically interesting problems. On the flip side, new analytical results have studied the gradient scaling for VQAs. These results paint a concerning picture, and show that barren plateaus in the training landscape will emerge if care is not taken. Barren plateaus are caused by lack of structure or simply by the presence of noise. Avoiding barren plateaus has now become a crucial area of research. This talk will review both the exciting and challenging nature of VQAs for near-term quantum computing.

The submitted materials have been authored by an employee or employees of Triad
National Security, LLC (Triad) under contract with the U.S. Department of
Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA). Accordingly, the U.S.
Government retains an irrevocable, nonexclusive, royalty- free license to publish,
translate, reproduce, use, or dispose of the published form of the work and to authorize
others to do the same for U.S. Government purposes.

Видео AQIS '20: Patrick Coles, Promises and Challenges of Variational Quantum Algorithms канала UTS Quantum