Read more at source.
Read more at source.
Quantum computers, first conceptualized in the 1980s, store information in quantum bits or qubits. Unlike ordinary bits that can have a value of 0 or 1, a qubit (due to the laws of quantum mechanics) can have a combination of both. This makes a quantum computer significantly faster than an ordinary computer for certain calculations, particularly those related to code decryption and natural system simulations. Topological qubits are a type of qubit that are more robust to errors, a characteristic that makes them highly desirable in quantum computing.
Microsoft's Majorana 1 processor design could potentially fit up to a million qubits, which may be enough to realize significant goals of quantum computing such as cracking cryptographic codes and designing new drugs and materials faster. If Microsoft's claims hold true, the company may have surpassed competitors like IBM and Google in the race to build a practical quantum computer.
Despite these promising developments, the peer-reviewed Nature paper only shows part of what the researchers have claimed, and the road map still includes many hurdles to be overcome. Building real qubits and getting information in and out of them is extremely difficult, as interactions with the outside world can destroy the delicate quantum states inside. Independent confirmation of the hardware's capabilities is also yet to be obtained.
If Microsoft's claims hold true, the company may have surpassed competitors like IBM and Google in the race to build a practical quantum computer. However, the road map still includes many hurdles to be overcome.
