Counterdiabatic quantum optimization for efficient state preparation in the Schwinger model

Abstract:The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA), whose design is underpinned by the adiabatic theorem, is one of the leading variational quantum algorithms for preparing the ground states of gauge theories. A recently proposed variant, DC-QAOA, incorporates counterdiabatic driving to accelerate the adiabatic process, reducing both circuit depth and runtime. In this work, we present a systematic analysis, from both theoretical and computational perspectives, of DC-QAOA and related counterdiabatic variants for preparing the ground state of the Schwinger model, the paradigmatic (1+1)-dimensional lattice gauge theory. Benchmarking these methods against standard QAOA, we show that counterdiabatic driving improves ground-state preparation while lowering circuit depth requirements. Our results establish counterdiabatic protocols as a practical route towards efficient quantum simulation of gauge theories.

19 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables. The code used in the paper can be found at this https URL

arXiv:2609.31400 [hep-lat]

(or arXiv:2609.31400v1 [hep-lat] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2609.31400 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

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