Perturbations
ClaimStab focuses on software-visible, controllable perturbations:
- seed_transpiler
- optimization_level
- layout_method
- shots
- seed_simulator
Optional task-specific axis:
- init_strategy and init_seed for MaxCut/QAOA hybrid-initialization sensitivity
- enabled only when task.params.hybrid_optimization.enabled: true
- values are configured via task.params.hybrid_optimization.init_strategies and init_seeds
Deprecated compatibility note: legacy specs may use repeats; ClaimStab maps it to seed_simulator when needed and records meta.deprecated_field_used.
Presets
| Preset | Varying Knobs | Fixed Knobs | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
compilation_only |
seed_transpiler, optimization_level, layout_method |
shots, seed_simulator |
Isolate compiler/toolchain effects |
compilation_only_exact |
exact 27-cell compilation grid | execution knobs fixed | Small exact-scope paper reruns |
sampling_only |
shots, seed_simulator |
transpilation knobs | Stress stochastic sampling effects |
sampling_only_exact |
exact 20-cell execution grid | transpilation knobs fixed | Small exact-scope paper reruns |
combined_light |
compilation knobs + small execution variation | reduced mixed grid | Practical mixed perturbation regime |
combined_light_exact |
exact 30-cell mixed grid | reduced mixed grid | Small exact-scope paper reruns |
compilation_stress |
same knobs as compilation_only with wider seed range |
execution knobs fixed | Heavy transpiler stress tests |
sampling_stress |
same knobs as sampling_only with wider shots/seed range |
transpilation knobs fixed | Low-shot fragility stress tests |
combined_stress |
compilation + execution knobs (expanded) | none | High-variance mixed stress regime |
Rationale
compilation_onlytests algorithmic claims against transpiler stochasticity/heuristics.sampling_onlycaptures instability from finite-shot and simulator randomness.combined_lightapproximates realistic combined variance while managing cost.*_exactpresets are additive aliases for small, fully enumerable reruns and do not change the larger canonical presets.*_stresspresets are optional and additive; they expand search breadth without changing existing preset semantics.
Low-shot settings (e.g., 16/32/64) are intentionally included in sampling_only to reveal failure modes and uncertainty-sensitive behavior.