Microsoft announced, the Majorana 1, that it had created the first topological qubit, a technology that could form the basis of a new generation of quantum computers. Topology-based computers should be easier to build on a large scale than other competing technologies, as they offer better protection against noise. However, some scientists are sceptical about the company’s claims. The announcement came on 19 February in a press release containing few technical details, but Microsoft shared some data with selected experts at a meeting at its research centre in Santa Barbara, California. The preliminary study was shared in Nature and pre-published on arXiv (a platform that collects final drafts of print-ready articles in scientific journals).
Majorana 1
The chip is named after the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana, known (also) for his contributions to quantum mechanics and particle theory. Majorana theorized that particles known as Majorana quasiparticles could have unique properties that are useful for quantum computation. His figure and his fate are still shrouded in mystery today: he disappeared in 1938 in circumstances that have never been clarified, fueling speculation and speculation. Unlike classical bits, which can only take the values 0 or 1, qubits exploit quantum superposition, a property of quantum mechanics that allows them to exist in several states at once. This feature allows quantum computers to process information exponentially faster than conventional computers. However, qubits are extremely sensitive to environmental interference and can lose their coherence rapidly.
What topological qubits are
Topological qubits are based on collective electron states that are intrinsically noise-resistant. In this context, ‘noise’ refers to any external interference, such as thermal or electromagnetic fluctuations, that can disturb the delicate quantum balance of the qubits and compromise calculations. The study in Nature describes experiments with a superconducting nanowire device made of indium arsenide. A nanowire is a wire of material with a diameter cross-section on the order of nanometers (millionths of a millimetre), which has unique quantum properties. The aim of the experiment is to accommodate two topological states called Majorana 1 quasiparticles, one at each end of the nanowire, to test the possibility of using them in quantum computation.
The tests suggest that the nanowire contains an extra electron in a delocalized state shared between two Majorana quasiparticles. However, the authors of the study warn that these measurements ‘alone’ do not guarantee the actual presence of topological qubits. Some researchers criticize Microsoft for announcing the creation of a qubit without releasing detailed evidence.
A leading way for new applications
The company shared a roadmap to scale up its topological machines and demonstrate that they can perform quantum calculations. In this context, “scaling” means increasing the number of qubits while maintaining system stability and coherence, a crucial step in making quantum computers usable on a large scale. Microsoft’s announcement of the creation of the topological qubit paves the way for numerous practical applications for end users. Experts questioned in these hours have imagined scenarios in the most diverse fields. Among them: data security (quantum computers could revolutionize cryptography and guarantee more secure communications, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access), the discovery of new drugs and materials (because it will be possible to simulate complex molecular systems in less time), and the optimization of financial and logistical processes (which, by becoming more “responsive” and efficient, could see their costs reduced).
According to Microsoft, new measurements will make it increasingly difficult to explain the results with non-topological models. As Tim Hollebeek, Vice President of Industry Standards, DigiCert, states:
“Microsoft’s recent unveiling of the Majorana 1 chip marks a significant milestone in quantum computing. The Majorana 1 chip leverages Majorana particles to create more stable qubits, potentially accelerating the timeline to practical quantum computing. Continued advancements like this suggest that the availability of stable quantum computers could be realized within the next five years.”
