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Florida Atlantic Undergraduate Research Journal

College

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Keywords

Quantum, computing, algorithms, Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA), Combinatorial optimization, Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices, circuit, barren plateau, hardwarae, optimization, Protein folding

Document Type

Article

Abstract

As quantum computing research advances, the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) has emerged as a leading approach to harnessing current quantum hardware for solving complex combinatorial optimization problems. This pedagogical, expository paper outlines the mathematical foundations of QAOA, explains its step-by-step implementation from first principles in a manner accessible to advanced undergraduate students and non-specialists, and explores real-world applications such as protein folding and job scheduling. We also examine the algorithm’s performance challenges, including barren plateaus and circuit depth limitations.

Advisors

Terje Hill

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