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Microsoft takes a decisive step in the quantum with the launch of Majorana 1the first quantum processor based on a topological architecture. This development marks the realization of a scientific and industrial bet initiated twenty years ago: exploit the Majorana particles To build more stable and scalable qubits. This advance opens a credible perspective to the quantum computer tolerant to faults capable of reaching one million qubitsthreshold necessary for large -scale applications.
A conceptual jump in the design of qubits
Quantum IT is based on quitcalculation units that exploit the properties of quantum mechanics. Their sensitivity to environmental disturbances is one of the main obstacles to their scale. Until now, conventional approaches – superconductors (IBM, Google), trapped ions (ionq) or photons (PSIQUANTUM) – require significant error corrections, limiting their reliability and industrial viability.
Microsoft has followed a different path by developing Topological qubitswhich are based on the existence of the particles of Majorana. Unlike traditional qubits, they offer a intrinsic protection against errors Thanks to a physical structure which isolates the quantum information of external disturbances. This technological choice, long considered speculative, was validated by a publication in Natureattesting to the creation and reliable measurement of topological qubits.
The key role of the topoconductor
The breakthrough is based on the invention of a new materialTHE topoconductordesigned to maintain a stable quantum state. Microsoft has developed an architecture made up ofIndium and aluminum arseniureatom assembly by atom to form a structure allowing the emergence of the particles of Majorana. This material inaugurates a topological state of matterseparate from solid, liquid or gas, in which qubits become less sensitive to external disturbances.
One of the major challenges of quantum computer science lies in reading qubits without disturbing their condition. Microsoft’s topological qubits include a digital measurement method Who simplifies this operation: an electrical pulse is enough to activate or deactivate the reading of qubits, thus deleting the need for complex analog calibration. This innovation considerably reduces material constraints and opens the way to more compact and industrializable architectures.
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A credible path to a million qubits
The interest of quantum computers only materializes from a sufficient calculation scalemaking it possible to solve irreducible problems with conventional supercomputers. Most of the current prototypes do not exceed a few hundred functional qubits. Microsoft says its topological architecture offers a concrete path to a million qubits on a single chipwhile reducing error correction needs.
L’Integration of control circuits directly into the quantum chip constitutes another decisive advance. Unlike conventional architectures requiring massive infrastructure – certain approaches would require systems the size of a stage to reach this scale -, the Majorana 1 holds in the palm of one hand and can be deployed in a data center Azure Quantum.
Towards an industrial and scientific transformation
The quantum computer tolerant to faults opens unprecedented perspectives in several strategic areas:
- Chemistry and materials : simulation of complex molecules for the design of new self-repairing materialsoptimized for aerospace, construction or electronics.
- Environment : discovery of catalysts capable of Decompose microplastics or Transform the CO₂ into usable materials.
- Health and biology : advanced modeling of enzymes and biochemical reactions, facilitating the development of medical treatments and sustainable agricultural solutions.
- Industrial design : R&D automation thanks to theInteraction between AI and Quantumallowing to generate Optimal prototypes from the first iteration.
Matthias Troyer, Technical Fellow at Microsoft, sums up this advance in limpid terms: “The quantum teaches the language of nature at the AI, so that it can generate the perfect solution without tests and errors. »»
This advancement place Microsoft among the two actors retained by the Darpathe advanced research agency of the American Defense Department, for the final phase of the program US2QC. This program aims to build the first Quantum computer of industrial utilitythat is to say whose performance justifies operating costs.
