A software framework for scalable quantum computing

Quantum computing architectures have expanded to systems that support many qubits. With an increase in qubit number, both qubit control hardware and software must support quantum engineers and scientists in breaking down experimental complexity. Here, we show the advantage provided by our open-source software framework capable of programming many instruments together as a single machine, allowing users to program experiments at a high level, from which optimized code is generated for the control hardware. The optimization of instrument settings, waveform generation and upload, and pulse synchronization and scheduling are automated, enabling fast qubit characterization and tune-up. The software framework supports real-time calibration sequences which are interleaved with optimization steps, e.g., using intermediate measurement results to optimally calibrate a gate pulse, and it provides browser-based tools for visualization of experimental sequences and pulses before execution. We show how the software is used to implement quantum error correction using surface code. This software, in combination with high-performance control electronics, is capable of performing state-of-the-art experiments on the latest qubit processors.