Microsoft has introduced the Majorana 1 quantum chip that is expected to bring quantum computers capable of solving complex industrial-scale problems within years rather than decades.
Powered by a new Topological Core architecture, the processor leverages the world’s first topoconductor, a novel material that can observe and control Majorana particles to produce more reliable and scalable qubits.
It could pave the way for quantum systems that can scale to a million qubits, potentially tackling some of the most challenging industrial and societal problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computers.
“We took a step back and said ‘OK, let’s invent the transistor for the quantum age. What properties does it need to have?’ And that’s really how we got here – it’s the particular combination, the quality and the important details in our new materials stack that have enabled a new kind of qubit and ultimately our entire architecture,” said Chetan Nayak, Technical Fellow of Microsoft.
Sooner rather than later?
The announcement comes amid differing opinions on the timeline for practical quantum computing. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang stated in January that “very useful quantum computers” might be 15 to 30 years away.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai was more optimistic, comparing quantum computing’s current stage to where AI was a decade ago and suggesting that practical quantum computers could be five to 10 years away.
“The quantum moment reminds me of where AI was in the 2010s, when we were working on Google Brain and the early progress. We’re optimistic that within five years, we’ll see real-world applications that are possible only on quantum computers,” he said.
Following the Majorana 1 launch, Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft posted on X, “We believe this breakthrough will allow us to create a truly meaningful quantum computer not in decades, as some have predicted, but in years.”
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