Enhanced mutation strategy based differential evolution for global optimization problems

Differential evolution (DE) stands out as a prominent algorithm for addressing global optimization challenges. The efficacy of DE hinges crucially upon its mutation operation, which serves as a pivotal mechanism in generating diverse and high-quality solutions. This article explores various mutation operations aimed at augmenting the performance of DE in global optimization tasks. A distinct mutation strategy is introduced, with the primary objective of achieving a harmonious equilibrium between exploration and exploitation to enhance both convergence speed and solution quality. The proposed DE centres on a novel mutation-based strategy, introducing a new coefficient factor ("σ") in conjunction with the base vector of the basic mutation strategy ("DE/rand/1"). This innovation aims to fortify the convergence of local variables during exploitation, thereby improving both the convergence rate and quality. The effectiveness of the proposed mutation operations is evaluated across a set of 27 benchmark functions commonly employed in global optimization. Experimental results conclusively demonstrate that these enhanced mutation strategies significantly outperform state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of solution accuracy and convergence speed. This study underscores the critical role of mutation operations in DE and provides valuable insights for designing more potent mutation strategies to tackle complex global optimization problems.