https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00437-z
Research
Analog QAOA with Bayesian optimisation on a neutral atom QPU
1
Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “Augusto Righi”, Università di Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, I-40127, Bologna, Italy
2
INFN, Sezione di Bologna, Via Carlo Berti-Pichat 6/2, I-40127, Bologna, Italy
3
Pasqal, Organization, 24 rue Emile Baudot, 91120, Palaiseau, France
4
Leithà S.r.l., Unipol Group, Bologna, Italy
a
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Received:
17
March
2025
Accepted:
23
October
2025
Published online:
11
December
2025
This study explores the implementation of the Quantum Approximate Optimisation Algorithm (QAOA) in its analog form using a neutral atom quantum processing unit to solve the Maximum Independent Set problem. Our QAOA protocol leverages the natural encoding of problem Hamiltonians by Rydberg atom interactions, while employing Bayesian Optimisation to navigate the quantum-classical parameter space effectively under the constraints of hardware noise and resource limitations. We evaluate the approach through a combination of numerical simulations and experimental runs on Pasqal’s first commercial quantum processing unit, Orion Alpha, demonstrating effective parameter optimisation and noise mitigation strategies, such as selective bitstring discarding and detection error corrections. Results show that a limited number of measurements still allows for a quick convergence to a solution, making it a viable solution for resource-efficient scenarios.
Key words: QAOA / Bayesian Optimization / MIS problem / Rydberg atoms / QPU
© The Author(s) 2025
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