Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE)

The Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) is a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm that combines the power of quantum computers with classical optimisation techniques to solve eigenvalue problems, particularly in the context of quantum chemistry and materials science. VQE was introduced in 2014 by a team of researchers from Harvard University and Google1, and has since become one of the most widely studied and implemented algorithms in the field of quantum computing.

Problem Target


The main objective of VQE is to find the lowest eigenvalue (ground state energy) and the corresponding eigenvector (ground state) of a given Hamiltonian matrix, which describes the energy of a quantum system2. This is a fundamental problem in quantum chemistry, as the ground state energy and wavefunction provide crucial information about the properties and behaviour of molecules and materials.

Quantum Approach


The VQE algorithm tackles this problem by using a parameterised quantum circuit, called the ansatz, to prepare a trial wavefunction. The parameters of the ansatz are then optimised using a classical optimisation algorithm to minimise the expectation value of the Hamiltonian with respect to the trial wavefunction3. The expectation value is estimated by measuring the output of the quantum circuit and averaging the results over multiple runs.

Practical Applications


The VQE algorithm has several advantages over classical methods for solving eigenvalue problems in quantum chemistry and materials science5. First, it can leverage the exponential computational space of quantum computers to efficiently represent and manipulate complex wavefunctions, which is challenging for classical computers. Second, VQE is relatively resilient to noise and errors in current quantum hardware, as it relies on short-depth circuits and can incorporate error mitigation techniques. Finally, VQE can be used to solve problems beyond the reach of classical methods, such as strongly correlated systems and excited state properties.

VQE has been experimentally demonstrated on various quantum computing platforms, including superconducting qubits, trapped ions, and photonic qubits6. It has been applied to a range of problems in quantum chemistry and materials science, such as calculating the ground state energies of small molecules, simulating the electronic structure of solids, and optimizing the parameters of quantum circuits for other applications.

Implementation Challenges

VQE’s performance heavily depends on the choice of ansatz, which can be challenging to design effectively for specific problems. VQE is susceptible to the “barren plateau” problem, where gradients become exponentially small as the system size increases, making optimization difficult7. The classical optimization component may get stuck in local minima, failing to find the global minimum. While relatively resilient to some noise, VQE can still be affected by hardware errors and decoherence, potentially leading to inaccurate results.

The algorithm also requires a large number of measurements for accurate energy estimation, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Scalability remains a challenge, as the complexity of the optimization problem grows rapidly with system size. Current NISQ device limitations in qubit count, connectivity, and coherence times restrict the complexity of implementable ansatze and the size of tractable problems.

Additionally, VQE may struggle with excited state calculations and suffer from convergence issues, especially for systems with small energy gaps or near-degenerate states. Addressing these limitations is an active area of research, with ongoing efforts to develop improved ansatze, more efficient optimization techniques, and error mitigation strategies to enhance VQE’s performance and applicability across various domains.

Bottom Line


VQE is a powerful hybrid quantum-classical algorithm that exploits the benefits of both quantum and classical computing to solve eigenvalue problems in quantum chemistry and materials science. Its potential to tackle problems beyond the reach of classical methods and its resilience to noise and errors make it a promising approach for near-term quantum computing applications.

A point to keep in mind is that VQE was developed specifically for the NISQ era. Its prominence may decrease in the fault-tolerant era, although it may remain a valuable tool in the quantum computing toolkit, especially for problems where its hybrid and variational nature offer distinct advantages. The exact role of VQE in future quantum computing landscapes will depend on ongoing research, the specific capabilities of fault-tolerant systems, and the nature of the problems being addressed.