According to a disclosure, Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may receive compensation through the provided links. Quantum computers face a significant constraint in that they are limited to approximately 1,000 qubits due to interference from noise causing decoherence. Years ago, Microsoft embarked on a mission to develop a topological qubit utilizing Majorana quasiparticles, known for their small size and inherent stability, making them ideal candidates for quantum computing.
This week, Microsoft revealed the launch of a new quantum framework named Majorana 1. This development is believed to be the initial stride towards creating a quantum computer encompassing 1 million topological qubits. Despite this announcement, some physicists remain doubtful. Quantum computers, akin to nuclear fusion and other cutting-edge technologies, always appear to be on the verge of transformative breakthroughs. Like fusion, quantum computers face stability issues. While experts in fusion strive to stabilize the extremely hot plasma required for their reactions, quantum engineers are focused on stabilizing qubits to mitigate errors and potentially surpass the existing limit of around 1,000 qubits.
Microsoft’s recent announcement highlights a significant advancement towards this objective, indicating the establishment of a quantum architecture referred to as Majorana 1, capable of accommodating one million qubits on a single chip in the future. Microsoft made a strategic decision years ago to shift towards a different path by developing a “topological qubit” instead of employing qubits utilized in other quantum computers. This innovative approach aims to enhance stability and scalability.
This endeavor involves utilizing Majorana quasiparticles, which are distinct patterns that emerge under specific conditions. The novel architecture, designated as the Topological Core and powered by “topoconductors,” can generate a Majorana zero mode state that is inherently stable. Moreover, it is compact, crucial for preventing quantum computers from growing to warehouse-like proportions. A recent publication in Nature demonstrated the ability to measure the two distinct states within a qubit.
Krysta Svore, a Microsoft technical fellow, elaborated on Majorana 1 in a video, stating, “We’ve designed a chip that’s able to measure the presence of Majorana, and Majorana allows us to create a topological qubit. A topological qubit is reliable, small, and controllable. This solves the noise problem that creates errors in qubits.” Presently, Majorana 1 features only eight of these qubits, insufficient for groundbreaking computations. However, Microsoft asserts that the framework is poised to scale up the number of topological qubits to one million, a potential achievement that could herald the era of quantum computing.
Nonetheless, skepticism surrounds Microsoft’s assertions. Notably, a paper detailing the claims about topological qubits has yet to be published for scrutiny by peers in the field. Additionally, various impurities can mimic conditions resembling Majorana quasiparticles, leading to doubts among scientists. Henry Legg from the University of St
The science behind it isn’t quite up to par,” mentioned Technology Review. Adding to the challenge is the revelation from a Microsoft research team in Delft, Netherlands in 2018 that they had successfully generated Majorana states, only to retract the paper three years later due to the inadvertent exclusion of data. Nonetheless, Microsoft’s technical fellow Chetan Nayak remains optimistic about their progress, emphasizing to The New York Times that the advent of quantum computing may be much closer than anticipated, with a launch potentially mere years away rather than decades.
The debut of Majorana 1 and its subsequent publication in Nature undeniably confirms the existence of a qubit within the team’s work. The next step involves establishing its topological properties and initiating computational processes. Should Microsoft verify the authenticity of its Topological Core, the prospect of achieving one million qubits and triggering a computational revolution becomes increasingly tangible.
