Micrsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new majorana 1 chip

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Microsoft believes it has made a key breakthrough in quantum computing, unlocking the potential for quantum computers to solve industrial-scale problems. The software giant has spent 17 years working on a research project to create a new material and architecture for quantum computing, and it’s unveiling the Majorana 1 processor, Microsoft’s first quantum processor based on this new architecture.

At the core of a quantum computer are qubits, a unit of information in quantum computing much like the binary bits that computers use today. Companies like IBM, Microsoft, and Google have all been trying to make qubits as reliable as binary bits for years now because they’re a lot more delicate and sensitive to noise that can create errors or lead to loss of data.

Majorana 1 can potentially fit a million qubits onto a single chip that’s not much bigger than the CPUs inside desktop PCs and servers. Microsoft isn’t using electrons for the compute in this new chip; it’s using the Majorana particle that theoretical physicist Ettore Majorana described in 1937. Microsoft has reached this milestone by creating what it calls the “world’s first topoconductor,” a new type of material that can not only observe but also control Majorana particles to create more reliable qubits.

Microsoft has outlined its research in a peer-reviewed paper published today in Nature, explaining how its researchers were able to create the topological qubit. Microsoft has helped create a new material made from indium arsenide and aluminum, and it has placed eight topological qubits on a chip that it hopes can eventually scale to 1 million.

single chip with a million qubits could perform simulations that are a lot more accurate and help improve the understanding of the natural world and unlock breakthroughs in medicine and material science. That’s been the promise of quantum computing for years now, and Microsoft believes its topoconductor, or topological superconductor, is the next big breakthrough.

“Our leadership has been working on this program for the last 17 years. It’s the longest-running research program in the company,” explains Zulfi Alam, corporate vice president of quantum at Microsoft. “After 17 years, we are showcasing results that are not just incredible, they’re real. They will fundamentally redefine how the next stage of the quantum journey takes place.”

Alam previously worked on HoloLens and the fabrication techniques that have helped Microsoft in its push toward quantum computing. Microsoft’s quantum computing team is made up of researchers, scientists, and Microsoft technical fellows that have dedicated years to the company’s effort to build a scalable quantum computer based on topological qubits.

We took a step back and said ‘Ok, let’s invent the transistor for the quantum age. What properties does it need to have?’” says 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.”

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has now selected Microsoft as one of two companies that will advance to the final phase of its Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC). Microsoft will now build a fault-tolerant prototype quantum computer based on topological qubits “in years, not decades.”

“A million-qubit quantum computer isn’t just a milestone — it’s a gateway to solving some of the world’s most difficult problems,” says Nayak. “Our path to useful quantum computing is clear. The foundational technology is proven, and we believe our architecture is scalable. Our new agreement with DARPA shows a commitment to relentless progress toward our goal: building a machine that can drive scientific discovery and solve problems that matter.“




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[34real]

Good to hear,I'll watch that stock

 

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For the first time scientists reveal the shape of electrons, a leap forward in quantum research

For the first time, researchers have successfully measured the shape of an electron as it moves through a solid, opening a new window into understanding how electrons behave in different materials. This groundbreaking achievement, led by physicist Riccardo Comin of MIT, could revolutionize fields ranging from quantum computing to electronics manufacturing. By leveraging advanced techniques like angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), the team has uncovered insights into the geometric properties of electrons—a previously elusive aspect of their behavior.

The Wave-Like Nature of Electrons: A New Perspective​

Electrons are not just tiny particles; they also exhibit wave-like properties, described by mathematical constructs called wave functions. These wave functions can take on complex shapes in higher-dimensional spaces, influencing how electrons interact within materials. While physicists have long studied electrons in terms of energy and velocity, their geometric properties have remained largely unexplored—until now.

Using ARPES, the research team was able to capture detailed information about the behavior of electrons as light interacted with them. “We’ve essentially developed a blueprint for obtaining some completely new information that couldn’t be obtained before,” says Riccardo Comin. This technique allowed the team to measure the quantum geometry of electrons in a class of materials known as kagome metals, which are renowned for their unique atomic lattice structure and unusual electronic behaviors.

Kagome Metals: A Playground for Quantum Geometry​

Kagome metals derive their name from their atomic structure, which resembles a repeating pattern of interlocking triangles. This lattice arrangement creates an environment where electrons can exhibit exotic behaviors, such as advanced superconductivity and synchronized electron pairing. By studying these materials, the researchers were able to observe how the geometry of electron wave functions influences their movement and interactions.

The team’s findings suggest that the geometric properties of electrons play a key role in phenomena like superconductivity, where electrons move through a material without resistance. Understanding these properties could enable scientists to design materials with enhanced electronic traits, such as improved conductivity or reduced energy loss.

ARPES: A Window into the Quantum World​

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) is a powerful tool for studying the behavior of electrons in solids. During an ARPES experiment, researchers shine a beam of photons onto a crystal, causing electrons to be ejected from the material. By measuring the angles and spins of these ejected electrons, scientists can reconstruct the shapes of their wave functions and gain insights into their geometric properties.
This method is highly demanding, requiring specialized equipment and facilities. However, it provides unparalleled access to the quantum world, allowing researchers to observe phenomena on scales smaller than a billionth of an inch. The success of this technique in measuring electron geometry marks a significant milestone in the field of quantum materials research.

Applications and Future Directions​

The ability to measure and manipulate the quantum geometry of electrons has far-reaching implications for technology and industry. In quantum computing, for example, maintaining stable electronic states is crucial for performing computations. By understanding the geometric properties of electrons, researchers could design materials that better support these states, leading to more reliable quantum devices.

Additionally, this discovery could advance the development of energy-efficient electronics. Materials with tailored electron geometries could minimize energy loss through heat, addressing a critical challenge in modern electronics. As energy efficiency becomes increasingly important, the ability to control electron flow on such tiny scales could have a transformative impact.

A Global Collaboration Yields Groundbreaking Results​

This research was the result of a collaborative effort involving institutions from around the world. Combining theoretical and experimental expertise, the team was able to synthesize and measure the electronic structure of a kagome metal, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic forced some team members to work remotely, while others took on new roles in partially shut-down labs. This unexpected shift ultimately pushed the work forward, highlighting the importance of collaboration in tackling complex scientific challenges.

The study is published inNature Physics.

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