Variational quantum algorithm for generalized eigenvalue problems of non-Hermitian systems

Non-Hermitian generalized eigenvalue problems (GEPs) play a significant role in many practical applications, such as mechanical engineering. Based on the generalized Schur decomposition, we propose a variational quantum algorithm for solving the GEPs in non-Hermitian systems. The algorithm transforms the generalized eigenvalue problem into a process of searching for unitary transformation matrices. We demonstrate a method for evaluating both the loss function and its gradients on near-term quantum devices. We validate numerically the algorithm’s performance through simulations, and demonstrate its application to GEPs in ocean acoustics. The algorithm’s robustness is further confirmed through noise simulations.