Microsoft recently announced a significant technological breakthrough, stating that its newly developed chip could enable the construction of quantum computers within a few years, rather than decades. The highlight of this chip is its use of the world's first topoconductor, a material that can create a new state of matter that is neither solid, liquid, nor gas. This innovation makes it possible to design quantum systems that can be placed on a single chip, which is smaller than the size of a palm.
Microsoft's research findings were published in the journal Nature, and many experts have praised this advancement. Paul Stevenson, a physics professor at the University of Surrey, pointed out that if Microsoft can continue to advance on this research foundation, it may become an important competitor in the field of quantum computing. However, he also emphasized that while the new research results are significant, caution is needed during the technological development process.
George Booth, a theoretical physics professor at King's College London, believes that this research demonstrates impressive technological achievements, but its true value may not become apparent until later. Microsoft claims that the topoconductor provides a new pathway for developing quantum systems scalable to a million qubits. These qubits are the fundamental components of quantum computers, similar to the 0s and 1s used in current computers.
The potential of quantum computers is immense, as they can solve complex industrial and social problems, such as breaking down microplastics, developing self-healing materials, optimizing supply chain logistics, and even cracking encryption codes. Recently, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) selected Microsoft's topoconductor as one of two paths to explore quantum computing, aiming to develop an industrially practical quantum computer by 2033.
Although Microsoft's progress in quantum computing has been slow, Professor Booth noted that Microsoft focuses on long-term goals, aiming to develop a system that is more resilient to noise and interference. The topological qubits developed by Microsoft utilize a new type of particle called Majorana fermions, which help protect information from being lost. However, constructing these qubits is more complex than other competing technologies.
The Majorana particles that Microsoft refers to have never been observed or created before. To make them "manifest," researchers need to use magnetic fields and superconductors, which also explains why most quantum computing research tends to adopt other methods. Despite many challenges that need to be overcome, Professor Booth believes this research has taken an important step toward different platforms, with the potential to compete with established technologies from companies like Google.
Key Points:
🔍 The topoconductor chip launched by Microsoft may accelerate the development of quantum computers, expected to emerge in a few years.
🔬 This chip is smaller than a palm and can design new quantum systems.
🚀 Quantum computers will have the ability to solve complex social problems, such as optimizing logistics and cracking encryption codes.
