Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states

The variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), a variational algorithm to obtain an approximated ground state of a given Hamiltonian, is an appealing application of near-term quantum computers. To extend the framework to excited states, we here propose an algorithm, the subspace-search variational quant...

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Main Authors: Ken M. Nakanishi, Kosuke Mitarai, Keisuke Fujii
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2019-10-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.033062
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author Ken M. Nakanishi
Kosuke Mitarai
Keisuke Fujii
author_facet Ken M. Nakanishi
Kosuke Mitarai
Keisuke Fujii
author_sort Ken M. Nakanishi
collection DOAJ
description The variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), a variational algorithm to obtain an approximated ground state of a given Hamiltonian, is an appealing application of near-term quantum computers. To extend the framework to excited states, we here propose an algorithm, the subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver (SSVQE). This algorithm searches a low-energy subspace by supplying orthogonal input states to the variational ansatz and relies on the unitarity of transformations to ensure the orthogonality of the output states. The kth excited state is obtained as the highest-energy state in the low-energy subspace. The proposed algorithm consists only of two parameter optimization procedures and does not employ any ancilla qubits. The avoidance of the estimation of the inner product and the small number of procedures required are considerable improvements from the existing proposals for excited states, making our proposal an improved near-term quantum algorithm. We further generalize the SSVQE to obtain all excited states up to the kth by only a single optimization procedure. From numerical simulations, we verify the proposed algorithms. This work extends the applicable domain of the VQE to excited states and their related properties as a transition amplitude without sacrificing any of its feasibility. Moreover, the proposed variational subspace search, which generalizes the state search problem to the search of a unitary mapping to a specific subspace, itself would be useful for various quantum information processing methods such as finding a protected subspace or a good variational quantum error correction code.
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spelling doaj.art-872da891c35b44c5a5274c1df873fa452024-04-12T16:46:28ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642019-10-011303306210.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.033062Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited statesKen M. NakanishiKosuke MitaraiKeisuke FujiiThe variational quantum eigensolver (VQE), a variational algorithm to obtain an approximated ground state of a given Hamiltonian, is an appealing application of near-term quantum computers. To extend the framework to excited states, we here propose an algorithm, the subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver (SSVQE). This algorithm searches a low-energy subspace by supplying orthogonal input states to the variational ansatz and relies on the unitarity of transformations to ensure the orthogonality of the output states. The kth excited state is obtained as the highest-energy state in the low-energy subspace. The proposed algorithm consists only of two parameter optimization procedures and does not employ any ancilla qubits. The avoidance of the estimation of the inner product and the small number of procedures required are considerable improvements from the existing proposals for excited states, making our proposal an improved near-term quantum algorithm. We further generalize the SSVQE to obtain all excited states up to the kth by only a single optimization procedure. From numerical simulations, we verify the proposed algorithms. This work extends the applicable domain of the VQE to excited states and their related properties as a transition amplitude without sacrificing any of its feasibility. Moreover, the proposed variational subspace search, which generalizes the state search problem to the search of a unitary mapping to a specific subspace, itself would be useful for various quantum information processing methods such as finding a protected subspace or a good variational quantum error correction code.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.033062
spellingShingle Ken M. Nakanishi
Kosuke Mitarai
Keisuke Fujii
Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states
Physical Review Research
title Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states
title_full Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states
title_fullStr Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states
title_full_unstemmed Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states
title_short Subspace-search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states
title_sort subspace search variational quantum eigensolver for excited states
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.1.033062
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AT kosukemitarai subspacesearchvariationalquantumeigensolverforexcitedstates
AT keisukefujii subspacesearchvariationalquantumeigensolverforexcitedstates