Decision-aware validation of zero-noise extrapolation in QAOA optimization landscapes

arXiv:2610.33386v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Zero-noise extrapolation (ZNE) is usually validated by the accuracy of mitigated observables, yet variational quantum optimization uses those observables to select parameters. We ask whether, and by how much, an accuracy gain from ZNE coincides with a worse decision. In depth-one simulations of the quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) for MaxCut on four to six qubits, each sampled $120\times120$ landscape yields both its mean-squared error (MSE) and the ideal regret of its selected grid minimum, comparing Richardson orders one to three with unmitigated estimation at the same total shot budget per grid point.