A new Microsoft chip could lead to more stable quantum computers
1 min read
Summary
Microsoft is aiming to produce a topological quantum computer using Majorana quasiparticles, which are not real particles and emerge as special patterns of behaviour.
While the company’s pursuit has faced setbacks, including a high-profile research paper retraction by associated researchers in 2018, Microsoft now claims it is on track to build a working computer within a few years, with a blueprint for building out chips that each contain a million qubits.
This week, the company announced that it has tested a topological qubit and wired up a chip that contains eight, with a target of producing a few thousand qubits within the next few years, which is when these computers are expected to really show their potential.
While others are more sceptical and call for further testing, outside researchers are cautiously optimistic about these results.