Microsoft says it makes a major quantum computing breakthrough with new chips
The race to shape the future of computing is heating up between tech companies, which Microsoft says has made a major breakthrough in quantum computing, which could solve the path for the technology to address complex scientific and social challenges.
The tech giant's scientists have spent 17 years developing a new material and quantum computing framework to help power its new Majorana 1 processor. Microsoft calls the advancement the world's first quantum processor powered by a topological quantum platform, topological quantum (the basic unit of quantum computing). The company has published its latest research in Nature magazine.
Unlike traditional computers, quantum computers can process large amounts of data simultaneously, revolutionizing fields such as science, medicine, energy, and artificial intelligence. However, quantum computing is prone to errors because of the instability of qubits.
But Microsoft says it's the new Tototo type – new materials made of Eisenny (semiconductor) and aluminum (superconductors) can perform tasks with higher speed and accuracy than traditional quantum devices. The Majorana 1 chip is designed to expand up to 1 million tons on a compact chip.
The news came, several technology companies competed to advance quantum computing. In December, Google unveiled its latest quantum computing chip, called Willow, claiming it can complete complex computing challenges in 5 minutes, which will bring one of today’s fastest supercomputers over a billion years.
Microsoft says it is the pace of building the world's first tolerant, scalable quantum computer in years, not decades. This work is part of the U.S. government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) initiative to enable practical quantum computing in real-world areas.
