What is Majorana 1?
Majorana 1, is the world’s first quantum chip powered by a new Topological Core architecture that is expected to realize quantum computers capable of solving consequential, industrial-scale problems in years, not decades. It leverages the world’s first topoconductor, a groundbreaking material which can observe and control Majorana particles to produce more reliable and scalable qubits, that form the building blocks for quantum computers.
What is a topoconductor?
The topoconductor, or topological superconductor, is a distinctive category of material that can create an entirely new state of matter – not a solid, liquid or gas but a topological state. This is employed to produce a more stable qubit that is small, fast and can be controlled digitally , without the tradeoffs required by current alternatives. A new paper published in Nature explains how Microsoft researchers successfully created the topological qubit’s exotic quantum properties and also measured them accurately , which is an essential step for practical computing.
How was the quantum chip developed?
This groundbreaking technology was made possible by developing an entirely new materials stack comprising indium arsenide and aluminum, most of which was designed and fabricated atom by atom, by Microsoft. The goal was to manoeuvre new quantum particles called Majoranas into existence and leverage their unique properties to reach the next pinnacle of quantum computing, according to Microsoft.
Microsoft’s topological qubit architecture has aluminum nanowires joined together to form an H. Each H has four controllable Majoranas and comprises one qubit. These Hs can be connected, too, and laid out across the chip like several tiles. Krysta Svore, Microsoft technical fellow, said “It’s complex in that we had to show a new state of matter to get there, but after that, it’s fairly simple. It tiles out. You have this much simpler architecture that promises a much faster path to scale.”
The quantum chip doesn’t operate alone but exists in an ecosystem with control logic, a dilution refrigerator that retains qubits at temperatures preceding those in outer space and a software stack, capable of integrating with AI and classical computers. All of these pieces are existing, have been built or have been modified entirely in-house, she said.
Microsoft has clarified that continuing to refine these processes and the smooth working of all the elements together at an accelerated scale will require more years of engineering work. But several challenging scientific and engineering challenges have now been met, according to this technology company.
Svore has highlighted that getting the materials stack right to produce a topological state of matter was one of the most challenging bits. Microsoft’s topoconductor is made of indium arsenide Instead of silicon. Indium arsenide material is presently used in applications such as infrared detectors and comprises special properties. The extremely cold temperatures allow the semiconductor to be married with superconductivity, towards making a hybrid.
“We are literally spraying atom by atom. Those materials have to line up perfectly. If there are too many defects in the material stack, it just kills your qubit,” Svore said, adding, “Ironically, it’s also why we need a quantum computer – because understanding these materials is incredibly hard. With a scaled quantum computer, we will be able to predict materials with even better properties for building the next generation of quantum computers beyond scale.”
The world’s first Topological Core powering the Majorana 1 is highly reliable by design, incorporating error resistance at the hardware level, hence making it more stable.
Applications that are commercially significant will also require trillions of operations on a million qubits, which would be restrictive with current approaches that rely on fine-tuned analog control of each qubit. The Microsoft team’s new measurement approach enables qubits to be controlled digitally, redefining and greatly simplifying the working of quantum computers.
Years ago, Microsoft chose to pursue a topological qubit design, which is high risk, high reward, and scientifically as well as an engineering challenge. However, its safe to say that this risk and progress has paid off. Today, the company has placed eight topological qubits on a chip that has been designed to scale to one million.
Matthias Troyer, Microsoft technical fellow said, “From the start we wanted to make a quantum computer for commercial impact, not just thought leadership. We knew we needed a new qubit. We knew we had to scale.”
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) was born out of this ambitious approach. This is a federal agency that invests in breakthrough technologies that are vital to national security, towards including Microsoft in a meticulous program for evaluating whether innovative quantum computing technologies could build commercially relevant quantum systems faster than those believed possible conventionally.
What is this new quantum chip capable of doing?
Just as the invention of semiconductors led to the development of smartphones, computers and other electronics that we use today, topoconductors and the new type of chip they enable, offer a path to developing quantum systems that can scale to a million qubits and are capable of tackling the most complex industrial and societal problems, according to a statement by Microsoft.
“We took a step back and said ‘OK, let’s invent the transistor for the quantum age. What properties does it need to have?’” said Chetan Nayak, Microsoft technical fellow. “And that’s really how we got here – it’s the particular combination, the quality and the important details in our new materials stack that have enabled a new kind of qubit and ultimately our entire architecture,” he added.
According to Microsoft, this new architecture that has been leveraged to develop the Majorana 1 processor, offers a clear path to fit a million qubits on a single chip, easily placable in the palm of one’s hand.
What does this development mean for quantum computing in the long run?
This is a groundbreaking development and a much needed threshold for quantum computers towards delivering diversifiable, progressive and real-world solutions. These include breaking down microplastics into harmless byproducts or inventing self-healing materials for construction, manufacturing or healthcare. What’s mind boggling is that currently, all the computers in this world operating together, can’t pull off what a one-million-qubit quantum computer will!
“Whatever you’re doing in the quantum space, needs to have a path to a million qubits. If it doesn’t, you’re going to hit a wall before you get to the scale at which you can solve the really important problems that motivate us,” said Nayak, adding “We have actually worked out a path to a million.”
The invention of Majorana 1 signifies a crucial shift in quantum computing, bringing us a step closer to practical, large-scale quantum systems. By pioneering topological qubits and designing an architecture that can scale to a million qubits, Microsoft has laid the groundwork for solving real-world challenges. This landmark development underscores that the era of functional, commercially viable quantum computing is no longer a distant dream but an impending reality.
