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Main Authors: Liu, Dongmei, Li, Jian, Cheng, Xiubo, Zhang, Shibing, Chang, Yan, Yan, Lili
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.21335
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author Liu, Dongmei
Li, Jian
Cheng, Xiubo
Zhang, Shibing
Chang, Yan
Yan, Lili
author_facet Liu, Dongmei
Li, Jian
Cheng, Xiubo
Zhang, Shibing
Chang, Yan
Yan, Lili
contents In the era of Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) computing, available quantum resources are limited. Many NP-hard problems can be efficiently addressed using hybrid classical and quantum computational methods. This paper proposes a hybrid variational quantum algorithm designed to solve the $k$-coloring problem of graph vertices. The hybrid classical and quantum algorithms primarily partition the graph into multiple subgraphs through hierarchical techniques. The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is employed to determine the coloring within the subgraphs, while a classical greedy algorithm is utilized to find the coloring of the interaction graph. Fixed coloring is applied to the interaction graph, and feedback is provided to correct any conflicting colorings within the subgraphs. The merging process into the original graph is iteratively optimized to resolve any arising conflicts. We employ a hierarchical framework that integrates feedback correction and conflict resolution to achieve $k$-coloring of arbitrary graph vertices. Through experimental analysis, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm, highlighting the rapid convergence of conflict evolution and the fact that iterative optimization allows the classical algorithm to approximate the number of colorings. Finally, we apply the proposed algorithm to optimize the scheduling of a subway transportation network, demonstrating a high degree of fairness.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_21335
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Efficient hybrid variational quantum algorithm for solving graph coloring problem
Liu, Dongmei
Li, Jian
Cheng, Xiubo
Zhang, Shibing
Chang, Yan
Yan, Lili
Quantum Physics
In the era of Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) computing, available quantum resources are limited. Many NP-hard problems can be efficiently addressed using hybrid classical and quantum computational methods. This paper proposes a hybrid variational quantum algorithm designed to solve the $k$-coloring problem of graph vertices. The hybrid classical and quantum algorithms primarily partition the graph into multiple subgraphs through hierarchical techniques. The Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) is employed to determine the coloring within the subgraphs, while a classical greedy algorithm is utilized to find the coloring of the interaction graph. Fixed coloring is applied to the interaction graph, and feedback is provided to correct any conflicting colorings within the subgraphs. The merging process into the original graph is iteratively optimized to resolve any arising conflicts. We employ a hierarchical framework that integrates feedback correction and conflict resolution to achieve $k$-coloring of arbitrary graph vertices. Through experimental analysis, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm, highlighting the rapid convergence of conflict evolution and the fact that iterative optimization allows the classical algorithm to approximate the number of colorings. Finally, we apply the proposed algorithm to optimize the scheduling of a subway transportation network, demonstrating a high degree of fairness.
title Efficient hybrid variational quantum algorithm for solving graph coloring problem
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.21335