Evaluating Mutation Techniques in Genetic Algorithm-Based Quantum Circuit Synthesis

Kölle, Michael; Bintener, Tom; Zorn, Maximilian ; Stenzel, Gerhard; Sünkel, Leo; Gabor, Thomas und Linnhoff-Popien, Claudia (2025): Evaluating Mutation Techniques in Genetic Algorithm-Based Quantum Circuit Synthesis. GECCO 2025: Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference, Málaga, Spain, 14.- 18. Juli 2025. Ochoa, Gabriela und Filipic, Bogdan (eds.) : In: GECCO '25: Proceedings of the Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference, New York, NY, USA: Association for Computing Machinery. pp. 907-915

Abstract

Quantum computing leverages the unique properties of qubits and quantum parallelism to solve problems intractable for classical systems, offering unparalleled computational potential. However, optimization of quantum circuits remains critical, especially for noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices with limited qubits and high error rates. Genetic algorithms (GAs) provide a promising approach for efficient quantum circuit synthesis by automating optimization tasks. This work examines the impact of various mutation strategies within a GA framework for quantum circuit synthesis. By analyzing how different mutations transform circuits, it identifies strategies that enhance efficiency and performance. Experiments utilized a fitness function emphasizing fidelity, while accounting for circuit depth and T-operations, to optimize circuits with four to six qubits. Our analysis revealed that, while the "swap, addition" strategy achieved the highest fidelity scores, it consistently increased circuit depth. In contrast, combining "swap, addition, delete" strategies offers a more balanced approach, delivering near-optimal results while also having the potential of reducing circuit depth.

• Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
• Keywords: variational quantum circuits ; automated circuit design ; mutation
• Faculties: Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics > Computer Science
• Subjects: 000 Computer science, information and general works > 004 Data processing computer science
• ISBN: 979-8-4007-1465-8
• Place of Publication: New York, NY, USA
• Language: English