Majorana 1: Quantum computers closer than ever

Microsoft has just unveiled Majorana 1, its chip based on a new topological core architecture that represents a breakthrough in the field of quantum computing. This development promises to accelerate the advent of commercial quantum computers capable of solving complex problems in a matter of years, reducing the forecast of decades.

We summarize its main features, potential use cases, and its impact on industry, science, and society.

Quantum computing and topological qubits

To understand the importance of Majorana 1, it is necessary to understand how quantum computing works and why topological qubits represent such a significant revolution.

Well, a quantum computer does not operate with traditional bis (0 or 1), but with qubits, which can be in multiple states simultaneously thanks to quantum superposition. However, these qubits are extremely unstable, and any perturbation in the environment can cause them to lose information before the computation is complete.

Majorana 1 uses topoconductors, materials specifically designed to support the existence of these fermions. This allows the qubits to operate with less interference, reducing the need for error correction, a problem that has limited the progress of quantum computing until now.

Majorana 1 Microsoft

Majorana 1 is the world’s first quantum chip driven by a topoconductor, an innovative material that can observe and control Majorana particles to produce more reliable and scalable qubits, which are the building blocks of quantum computers.

The chip structure combines indium arsenide and aluminum, materials designed and fabricated with atomic precision to minimize defects and ensure the stability needed for reliable quantum operations.

Topoconductor, or topological superconductor, is a special category of material that can create a completely new state of matter (not a solid, a liquid, or a gas, but a topological state). This is exploited to produce a more stable qubit that is fast, small, and can be digitally controlled, without the disadvantages required by current alternatives.

The advantages of this topological core architecture are:

• Improved stability: topological qubits are less susceptible to external noise and interference, reducing the need for error correction and improving system reliability.
• Scalability: this architecture enables the integration of up to one million qubits on a single palm-sized chip, a milestone needed to address large industrial and scientific problems.
• Digital control: unlike traditional analog methods, Majorana 1 uses digital control of the qubits, simplifying operations and facilitating scalability.

Potential applications

The biggest challenge in quantum computing is the stability of qubits. Conventional qubits are extremely fragile and susceptible to environmental noise, which generates errors in calculations. Microsoft has therefore worked with topological qubits, which take advantage of a special type of quantum particle, called a fermion, to achieve unprecedented stability.

With this improved capacity to handle a million qubits, Majorana 1-based quantum computers could revolutionize several areas such as:

• Environment:
  • It can aid in the breakdown of microplastics into harmless by-products, contributing to the cleanliness of the oceans and marine life.
  • It can also help optimize carbon sequestration processes to mitigate climate change.
• Advanced materials: can facilitate the development of self-repairing materials for use in construction, manufacturing, and medical devices, increasing durability and reducing maintenance costs.
• Medicine and biotechnology:
  • Could simulate complex molecules to speed up new drug discovery.
  • Accurate modeling of proteins to design more effective treatments for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
• Logistics optimization:
  • Solving complex problems in supply chains, improving efficiency, and reducing costs in the distribution of goods.
  • Improving urban planning and energy distribution systems.
• Computer security: the ability to crack advanced encryption codes, which could have implications for both information security and privacy.

Microsoft

Collaboration with DARPA

The great potential of Majorana 1 has already been recognized by DARPA, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which has selected Microsoft’s approach as one of two viable strategies for building functional quantum computers over the next decade.

This validation is crucial, as it places Microsoft in the global quantum race, where other companies such as Google, IBM, and specialized startups are exploring alternative technologies.

Thus, Microsoft is betting that its topological approach will be the first to enable the construction of a quantum computer with a million useful qubits before its competitors manage to overcome error correction in their own designs.

Microsoft Majorana Quantum Computer

Majorana 1 represents a very promising advance, but experts such as Paul Stevenson, Professor of Physics at the University of Surrey, advise cautious optimism. This is because, although it is a significant step forward, the upcoming challenges in developing and scaling this technology will be complex and will determine its long-term success.

What is clear is that Microsoft’s Majorana 1 could mark a turning point in quantum computing, offering practical solutions to problems that are currently beyond the reach of traditional computers. The combination of stability, scalability, and digital control in its design makes it a strong candidate to lead the next generation of quantum technologies.