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QPU Modes

A QPU mode represents a specific configuration of a quantum processing unit, defining what types of programs it can execute and how.

What is a QPU Mode?

Each QPU mode specifies:

  • Qubit count - Number of available qubits
  • Supported operations - Gate set or analog controls
  • Connectivity - How qubits can interact
  • Execution environment - Hardware or simulator

Available Modes

The available QPU modes depend on your deployment. Some example modes include:

Digital Modes

Digital modes execute gate-based quantum circuits.

Mode Description
squin-256q 256-qubit digital mode, Squin circuits
shuttle-256q 256-qubit digital mode, Shuttle circuits

Simulator Modes

Simulator modes run programs on classical simulators instead of hardware.

Mode Description
qasm-10q 10-qubit digital mode with noise, OpenQASM 2.0 circuits
qasm-10s 10-qubit digital mode without noise, OpenQASM 2.0 circuits

Deployment-Specific Modes

The exact modes available depend on your QLAM deployment. Check your deployment's API documentation at <api-base-url>/docs/ for the current list.

Selecting a Mode

In QLAM Shell

Set the default mode in your configuration:

{
  "defaults": {
    "qpu_mode": "qasm-10q"
  }
}

Or specify per-submission:

qsh tasks create --qpu-mode qasm-10q @my-task.json

See the QLAM Shell Guide for more details.

In QLAM Core

When using the QLAM Core library with third-party SDKs, specify the QPU mode when configuring the client.

See the Third-Party SDKs Guide for more details.

In Direct API Calls

The QPU mode is specified in the URL path:

POST /v2/{qpu_mode}/tasks

For example, to submit to qasm-10q:

POST /v2/qasm-10q/tasks

With the task definition as the request body:

{
  "programs": [
    {
      "content": "<your program content>"
    }
  ],
  "subtasks": [
    {
      "program_index": 0,
      "num_shots": 100
    }
  ]
}

Mode Capabilities

Shot Limits

Modes may have minimum and maximum shot counts:

{
  "min_shots": 1,
  "max_shots": 10000
}