Systems overview

IBM Quantum systems are built using world-leading quantum processors, cryogenic components, control electronics, and classical computing technology. These systems are denoted by names that start with ibmq_* (older systems) or ibm_* (newer systems).

Hardware and processor types

See all available systems and simulators on the Compute resources page. By default, the information is shown in a card view. Use the view switchers (view-switcher) at the top right to change to a sortable table view.

Names for IBM Quantum processor types indicate the family and revision of each processor. To learn more, visit the Processor types page.

Configuration, properties, and versioning

All systems return a configuration file containing all the information needed for executing quantum circuits (see definition) on the systems. Additionally, quantum systems return properties information that details the characteristics of the system qubits, as well as the gates acting on these qubits. This includes noise information obtained from system calibration scripts.

To learn more, visit the following pages:

Access hardware

Access to the services IBM Quantum offers is described by the hierarchical organization of hub/group/project to which you are assigned. A specific combination of hub/group/project is called an instance. Members of the IBM Quantum Network and other special access programs are assigned to a range of instances, and additionally they can reserve time on a specific instance to which they have access. Users with a public account are automatically assigned to the ibm-q/open/main open plan.

To learn more, visit the following pages:

When there is no dedicated reservation on a system, the scheduler prioritizes jobs that are part of an active session. To learn more, visit the Sessions page.

Fixed- and dynamic-repetition rate execution

Most IBM Quantum systems execute circuits at a fixed rate, and some allow for dynamic-repetition rate execution. Learn more at the System circuit execution page.