Microsoft has made a significant breakthrough in quantum computing, claiming to have created a new chip that can fast-track the development of a meaningful quantum computer from decades to just a few years. The company’s achievement is notable because it involves finding a novel way to create qubits, the basic units of data in a quantum computer, which are more stable than those produced by existing methods.
Quantum computing holds great promise for performing tasks beyond the capabilities of current technologies. It utilizes the unique properties of tiny particles, such as superposition, which allows them to exist in multiple states simultaneously. This property enables parallel processing and is crucial for quantum computers to operate efficiently.
However, quantum computing faces significant challenges. The fragile nature of qubits makes it difficult to maintain their stability, and errors can occur due to disturbances caused by external factors like temperature or pressure. Moreover, finding the correct outcome among multiple possibilities is a complex task.
Microsoft’s achievement has sparked interest and skepticism among experts. According to Arindam Ghosh, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, if Microsoft’s claim is true, it would have significant implications for quantum computing development. A million qubits could enable more efficient error correction, moving the needle in quantum computer advancements.
The company’s novel process has opened up the possibility of creating a million-qubit system within a few years, far ahead of current capabilities. While skepticism is understandable given the complexity and difficulty of achieving such breakthroughs, Microsoft’s claim has sparked excitement about the potential future developments in quantum computing.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/why-microsofts-claims-of-quantum-computing-breakthrough-matter-9852679