A Dequantized Algorithm for the Guided Local Hamiltonian Problem

Abstract

The local Hamiltonian (LH) problem, the quantum analog of the classical constraint satisfaction problem, is a cornerstone of quantum computation and complexity theory. It is known to be QMA-complete, indicating that it is challenging even for quantum computers. Interestingly, the guided local Hamiltonian (GLH) problem -- an LH problem with a guiding state that has a non-trivial overlap with the ground state -- can be efficiently solved on a quantum computer and is proved to be BQP-complete. This makes the GLH problem a valuable framework for exploring the fundamental separation between classical and quantum computation. Remarkably, the quantum algorithm for solving the GLH problem can be `dequantized' (i.e., made classically simulatable) under certain conditions, such as when only constant accuracy is required and when the Hamiltonian satisfies an unrealistic constant operator norm constraint. In this work, we relieve these restrictions by introducing a dequantized classical algorithm for a randomized quantum imaginary-time evolution quantum algorithm. We demonstrate that it achieves either limited or arbitrary constant accuracy, depending on whether the guiding state's overlap is general or exceeds a certain threshold. Crucially, our approach eliminates the constant operator norm constraint on the Hamiltonian, opening its applicability to realistic problems. Our results advance the classical solution of the GLH problem in practical settings and provide new insights into the boundary between classical and quantum computational power.