A quantum processor (or quantum processing unit, QPU) is the physical chip or device that contains the qubits and the circuitry needed to perform quantum operations. It is the quantum equivalent of a classical CPU or GPU.
Why it matters. The quantum processor is the heart of a quantum computer, but it cannot function without the surrounding ecosystem of control electronics, cryogenics (for most platforms), software, and classical computing infrastructure. Processor performance is characterized by the number of qubits, gate fidelities, coherence times, connectivity, and readout fidelity. Leading quantum processors currently range from tens to over a thousand physical qubits, with superconducting platforms at the forefront of scaling. The path to useful quantum computing requires not just more qubits but also higher quality qubits and the systems engineering to support them.
How it connects. Qblox provides the control electronics that drive quantum processors across all major platforms. The Cluster's modular design scales from small research processors (5 to 25 qubits) to larger systems (hundreds of qubits and beyond), with the same hardware and software architecture throughout. Learn more about the Qblox Cluster.
