Microsoft has announced its first quantum computing chip, Majorana 1. The company claims to have “created an entirely new state of matter”—topological.
The chip employs the “world’s first topological conductor,” a groundbreaking type of material that can observe and control Majorana particles to create more reliable and scalable qubits.
Majorana 1 utilizes eight topological qubits using indium arsenide semiconductor and aluminum superconductor.
“The complexity of developing suitable materials to create exotic particles and associated topological states of matter is why most quantum developments have focused on other types of qubits,” the corporation’s blog states.
Microsoft “independently developed and manufactured atom by atom,” aiming for the perfect arrangement of materials to create a quantum computing chip.
“Just as the invention of semiconductors made modern smartphones, computers, and electronics possible, topological conductors and a new type of chip pave the way for developing quantum systems capable of scaling to a million qubits and solving the most complex industrial and societal problems,” the company asserts.
Unlike modern computers, where bits can be either on or off, quantum computers use qubits, which can operate in two states simultaneously.
Majorana 1 will not be available to customers through Azure in the near term.
“We want to reach several hundred qubits before we start talking about commercial reliability,” noted the company’s Executive Vice President, Jason Zander.
He added that Microsoft’s quantum chip could become available through Azure by 2030.
“There are many assumptions that widespread use of quantum computers is still several decades away. We believe it’s more a matter of years,” said Zander.
The corporation began working on the project in the early 2000s. It is considered the longest-running project within the company.
Back in December 2024, renowned cypherpunk Adam Back stated that advancements in quantum computing would strengthen Bitcoin.