Microsoft’s New Majorana 1 Processor Could Transform Quantum Computing
1 min read
Summary
Microsoft has unveiled the world’s first quantum processor powered by exotic topological qubits, which are more resistant to errors that typically plague quantum systems, and could leapfrog competitors including IBM and Google in the race to build a fully functioning quantum computer.
The topological design also means the new chip, called Majorana 1, can accommodate a million qubits, which could be sufficient to realise the potential of quantum computing in areas such as unpicking cryptographic codes and simulating complex chemical reactions.
However, while Microsoft’s claims are yet to be independently verified, the road map published alongside the announcement identifies further challenges and hurdles in creating larger systems.
This includes developing a topological version of a gate operations, which is crucial for quantum algorithms, as the current design has a error rate that is still too high to be practical.
