VQE Cost Landscape — Barren Plateaus & Gradient Variance

Variational Quantum Eigensolver: energy landscape visualization across parameter space

Circuit Parameters

Metrics

Current E(θ)--
Global min E--
Gradient variance--
Barren plateau?--
Barren plateau: gradient variance ∝ 2⁻ⁿ — exponentially vanishing gradients as n grows. With noise, even local minima disappear. VQE only practical for small n or shallow circuits.