Microsoft has introduced Majorana 1, a quantum chip with a “Topological Core” architecture, potentially enabling powerful quantum computers within years instead of decades. The breakthrough stems from a newly developed material called a topoconductor, a topological superconductor with unique properties. This chip could revolutionize various industries.
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Topoconductor Enables New State of Matter
The topoconductor can assume an entirely new state of matter: neither solid, liquid, nor gaseous, but topological. This state had previously only been described in theory. Microsoft combined the semiconductor indium arsenide with aluminum, a superconductor, to create the topoconductor. Each individual atom was intentionally placed in the new design.
Qubits from Majoranas
Analogous to the bits used by classical computers, quantum computers use qubits. However, these are quite unstable and easily disturbed, which can lead to information loss. Microsoft makes its qubits from Majoranas, named after the Italian mathematician Ettore Majorana (1906-1938). These topological qubits are hardware-protected against random disturbances.
Simple but Powerful Architecture
The newly introduced architecture is relatively simple: For one qubit, nano-wires made of aluminum are shaped into an “H,” with four controllable Majoranas sitting on them. Quantum information is stored via parity, that is, depending on whether the wire contains an even or odd number of electrons. Microwave beams are used to measure how many electrons are present.
Scalable Design
The Majorana 1 chip has 8 topological qubits but could be scaled to one million. At least one million qubits are needed for quantum computers to make valuable contributions to scientific problems through precise simulations, which is now within reach. In 2023, Microsoft’s research team created and controlled Majoranas for the first time.
This milestone signals significant advancement in quantum computing, potentially transforming industries and scientific research. While challenges remain, the development of Majorana 1 brings quantum computing closer to practical application. This achievement could reshape our understanding of materials and their properties, paving the way for new technological breakthroughs.
How might the development of fault-tolerant qubits impact industries like medicine, materials science, and artificial intelligence, and what ethical considerations should guide the development and application of this technology?
Based on content from www.futurezone.at and own research.