As the Final Challenge (Hackathon) of the SSB Quantum Algorithm Challenge will be conducted using IBM Quantum computers, the following key resources related to the IBM Quantum Platform and the Qiskit ecosystem are provided to support participants in their preparation.
Participants are strongly encouraged to review the documentation, training materials, and technical resources below to effectively prepare for the Final Challenge.
1. IBM Quantum Platform
The IBM Quantum Platform is a development environment that enables users to access IBM Quantum computers, develop and execute Qiskit-based quantum circuits, manage quantum workloads, and analyze execution results.
Through the platform, participants can:
- Access IBM Quantum computers,
- Develop Qiskit-based quantum applications,
- Execute quantum circuits on real quantum hardware,
- Monitor workloads and usage time,
- Access official documentation, training materials, and sample applications.
IBM Quantum Platform
https://quantum.cloud.ibm.com/
2. IBM Quantum Access Plans
Information about IBM Quantum access plans is available at the following link.
The Open Plan, available free of charge, provides users with up to 10 minutes of monthly access to real IBM Quantum computers. As access conditions and usage quotas may be updated by IBM, participants are encouraged to refer to the official website for the most up-to-date information.
IBM Quantum Products and Access Plans
https://www.ibm.com/quantum/products
3. Learning Resources
Official IBM Quantum computing and Qiskit training materials are available at:
IBM Quantum Learning
https://quantum.cloud.ibm.com/learning/en
Educational videos, practical examples, and technical content prepared by the Qiskit team are available on the official Qiskit YouTube Channel.
Qiskit YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@qiskit
Participants are also encouraged to watch the following video, which provides an excellent overview of the current state and future of quantum computing.
Recommended Video
https://youtu.be/MLE5LhsLD5U?si=JExHdu2iTEmvb0m2
4. Installing Qiskit
Participants who wish to install the Qiskit development environment on their local computers may refer to the official installation guide below.
Qiskit Installation Guide
https://quantum.cloud.ibm.com/docs/en/guides/install-qiskit
It is recommended that participants create a dedicated Python virtual environment during installation and verify the installed Qiskit version.
5. Qiskit Aer and Local Simulators
IBM's cloud-based quantum simulators have been discontinued. Instead, participants may use Qiskit Aer and other local simulation options available within the Qiskit ecosystem.
With Qiskit Aer, participants can:
- Test quantum circuits without using real quantum hardware,
- Analyze circuit behavior using different simulation methods,
- Create custom noise models,
- Utilize noise models based on calibration data from real IBM Quantum systems.
Participants may also benefit from simulation environments known as Fake Backends, which emulate the topology, gate sets, qubit characteristics, and noise behavior of specific IBM Quantum systems.
The size of quantum circuits that can be simulated depends on several factors, including the processing power and memory of the local computer, the circuit structure, and the selected simulation method.
Qiskit Aer and Local Simulators
https://quantum.cloud.ibm.com/docs/en/guides/local-simulators
6. Cloud-Based Development Environments
Participants who prefer to develop their applications using cloud-based notebook environments instead of their local computers may find the following IBM resource useful.
The article introduces several options for installing and using Qiskit in different Jupyter Notebook-based cloud environments.
Cloud-Based Notebook Environments for Qiskit
https://www.ibm.com/quantum/blog/qiskit-notebook-environments
Before the Final Challenge, participants are strongly encouraged to create an IBM Quantum account and gain hands-on experience with the IBM Quantum Platform by installing Qiskit, executing quantum circuits, using local simulators, and submitting jobs to real IBM Quantum computers.
Additional technical documentation, training materials, user guides, and other announcements relevant to the Challenge will be published on the official Challenge website throughout the Challenge process.
We wish all participants every success in the SSB Quantum Algorithm Challenge.
Türkiye Quantum Platform