Microsoft has successfully created the world’s first “topological qubits,” a significant breakthrough in quantum computing that could lead to major advancements in fields like cryptography and materials science.
The company’s Majorana 1 processor is designed to store information in an exotic state of matter, allowing it to potentially solve complex problems much faster than traditional computers. The device can store up to a million qubits, which could enable the creation of highly secure cryptographic codes and efficient simulations of natural systems.
Topological qubits are a type of quantum bit that can exist in multiple states at once, making them ideal for calculations involving superposition and entanglement. However, building these qubits is extremely difficult due to interactions with external environments, which can destroy the delicate quantum states inside.
Microsoft has taken an unconventional approach by using Majorana particles, a rare type of exotic matter that requires advanced material design and cooling to extreme low temperatures. The company’s solution involves harnessing these particles in pairs of tiny wires to act as qubits.
The breakthrough comes with its limitations, however. While the Majorana-based quantum chip is “almost error-free,” it still suffers from errors during a specific operation called T-gate. Nevertheless, correcting for this error is simpler than the general error correction used in other quantum platforms.
As Microsoft moves forward with its road map, the scientific community will closely monitor the performance of its quantum computing processors and compare them to existing systems. Research into Majorana particles will also continue at universities worldwide, as scientists seek to further understand the properties of these exotic materials.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/microsoft-just-claimed-a-quantum-breakthrough-a-quantum-physicist-explains-what-it-means