IBM Quantum's directed execution model offers control and performance

IBM Quantum has introduced a new directed execution model that offers explicit control over error correction while maintaining high performance on 100+ qubit systems. This model allows clients to run circuits exactly as directed, giving them transparency and customization over error mitigation routines that were previously hidden on IBM servers. The framework is the same one used in IBM's quantum advantage demonstrations and supports advanced error-correction research, including distance-5 surface codes that reduce logical error rates by up to 2.8x.

A key component of this model is the new Executor primitive, which scales to thousands of circuit variants and enables the composition of custom error mitigation and correction pipelines. For users already familiar with Qiskit's Sampler and Estimator primitives, upgrading is straightforward, only the provider needs updating, and existing code remains functional.

The directed execution model builds on the evolution of IBM Quantum's programming model, transitioning from the simple backend.run method to the server-side Sampler and Estimator primitives, and now to the Executor primitive. This progression aims to provide both convenience and control, depending on the user's needs. The model is designed to be low-friction, ensuring that most users only need to update their import statements to adopt the new system.

For researchers requiring precise control over circuit execution, the Executor primitive is particularly valuable. It allows for the development of new error mitigation protocols, noise propagation studies, and hardware benchmarking across numerous circuit variants. Meanwhile, the Sampler and Estimator primitives continue to offer convenience, now running seamlessly on top of Executor without changing their inputs and outputs.