Interpolating Parametrized Quantum Circuits Using Blackbox Queries

SIAM Journal on Scientific Computing, Volume 46, Issue 5, Page B600-B620, October 2024.
Abstract. This article focuses on developing classical surrogates for parametrized quantum circuits using interpolation via (trigonometric) polynomials. We develop two algorithms for the construction of such surrogates and prove performance guarantees. The constructions are based on circuit evaluations which are blackbox in the sense that no structural specifics of the circuits are exploited. While acknowledging the limitations of the blackbox approach compared to whitebox evaluations, which exploit specific circuit properties, we demonstrate scenarios in which the blackbox approach might prove beneficial. Sample applications include but are not restricted to the approximation of variational quantum eigensolvers and the alleviaton of the barren plateau problem.