Microsoft launches quantum chip Majorana

Microsoft has announced the creation of its first quantum chip, named Majorana 1, in honor of the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana. This innovation marks a significant step toward quantum computers capable of performing calculations at unprecedented speeds. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, described this development as a fundamental change in computing technology, emphasizing that the chip is the result of nearly twenty years of research.

The Majorana 1 chip is designed to tackle the challenges of current quantum computers, which are often prone to errors during calculations. It utilizes a subatomic particle known as the Majorana fermion, whose discovery and control have historically been complex. This particle is advantageous because it offers stability compared to traditional qubits, which can easily lose their quantum state due to external interference.

The chip is made from indium arsenide and aluminum and uses a superconducting nanowire to observe fermions. When exposed to extremely low temperatures, the chip reaches a topological state, which is neither solid, liquid, nor gas. This state has unique properties that remain unchanged even under deformation. The ability to host Majorana fermions makes the chip particularly promising, as these fermions conduct electricity stably, reducing error rates in calculations.

Although the Majorana 1 chip has fewer qubits than its competitors from Google and IBM, Microsoft argues that the greater stability of Majorana-based qubits could lead to more useful and functional computers. The company has not provided a specific timeline for the chip's completion, but it has stated that quantum computers capable of surpassing today's machines are just a few years away. The chip's production took place at Microsoft labs in Washington and Denmark, marking an important milestone in the race toward the quantum computing era.