Cost function deformation in quantum approximate optimization

A computer-implemented method, comprising:

• mapping, a system operatively coupled to a processor, a cost function associated with an optimization problem to a Hamiltonian, wherein the Hamiltonian has a known answer at a time that the Hamiltonian is mapped;
• and
• deforming, by the system, the Hamiltonian into a deformed Hamiltonian to find an optimal state, and uses the optimal state as a next starting state for a next optimization on the deformed Hamiltonian until an optimizer is determined with respect to a desired Hamiltonian.

A computer program product facilitating solving an optimization problem, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

• map a cost function associated with an optimization problem to a Hamiltonian, wherein the Hamiltonian has a known answer at a time that the Hamiltonian is mapped;
• and
• deform the Hamiltonian into a deformed Hamiltonian to find an optimal state, and uses the optimal state as a next starting state for a next optimization on the deformed Hamiltonian until an optimizer is determined with respect to a desired Hamiltonian.