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Backends

Luna easily connects you to the quantum world, eliminating the complexities often associated with navigating this landscape. Here you will find a roadmap for exploring which quantum backends are accessible. This section provides detailed information about each backend, their usage within LunaSolve and LunaQ, and valuable references to further resources, ensuring you have all the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively leverage these technologies.

Luna supports the following backend types:

  • QPU backends access real quantum hardware
  • Simulated backends simulate quantum algorithms on classical machines
  • Classical backends run classical algorithms on classical machines

The Backend Class in Luna

The Backend classes in Luna define how to connect to quantum hardware or service providers. They encapsulate both access credentials and hardware-specific configuration that are independent of the algorithm itself. A Backend instance is passed to the algorithm — either at initialization or runtime — to specify the execution environment and hardware-related settings for running a quantum algorithm.

Quantum backends connect to physical quantum processing units (QPUs) and typically require authentication via an access token, while classical backends use simulators for quantum algorithms do not need specialized hardware access.

Tip

Tokens and API keys can be passed as strings or as a QpuToken as explained in the QPU Token Documentation. With QpuToken, you can share QPU Tokens across your organization without disclosing it. Alternatively, you can also use environment variables.

Available Backends

  • D-Wave

    D-Wave is the main vendor of quantum annealing hardware. They also offer a wide range of classical heuristics and hybrid algorithms.

    Quantum Simulator

  • Amazon Braket

    Amazon Braket provides access to high-performance simulators, as well as quantum hardware of IonQ, IQM, and Rigetti.

    Quantum Simulator

  • IBM

    IBM's Qiskit Aer Simulators allow ideal simulation of quantum circuits, as well as simulation of noise on real quantum devices.

    Simulator

  • Q-CTRL

    Q-CTRL'sFire Opal employs advanced error mitigation and suppression techniques for IBM’s hardware based on superconducting qubits.

    Quantum

  • IonQ

    IonQ manufactures gate-based quantum hardware based on trapped ions. This hardware is accessed through Amazon Braket.

    Quantum

  • IQM

    IQM develops gate-based quantum hardware based on superconducting qubits. This hardware is accessed through Amazon Braket.

    Quantum

  • Rigetti

    Rigetti manufactures gate-based quantum hardware based on superconducting qubits. This hardware is accessed through Amazon Braket.

    Quantum

  • ZIB

    ZIB is a classical backend that runs the SCIP MIP solver.

    Classical

  • Aqarios

    Aqarios backend allows efficient simulation of the FlexQAOA algorithm.

    Simulator