Quantum computing has long been seen as a futuristic technology that could take decades to become practical. But Microsoft now claims it could arrive much sooner. The company has unveiled a new chip that could accelerate the development of quantum computers, potentially fitting an entire quantum system into a device smaller than the palm of a hand.
Microsoft compares this innovation to the invention of semiconductors, which revolutionized electronics by shrinking devices while boosting processing power. If successful, this breakthrough could make quantum computing more accessible and reliable.
A radical leap in quantum hardware
At the core of Microsoft’s breakthrough is the world’s first “top conductor,” a new material that isn’t a solid, liquid, or gas. This unique property allows for the creation of quantum systems that are more stable and scalable than current fragile designs. The company claims this could lead to quantum computers with up to a million qubits—the quantum equivalent of classical computing’s ones and zeros.
More qubits mean greater computing power, opening the door to solving problems once thought impossible. Quantum machines could help crack complex encryption, design self-healing materials, and even break down microplastics into harmless compounds.
Experts, however, remain cautious. Paul Stevenson, a physics professor at the University of Surrey, acknowledged Microsoft’s progress but warned that the next steps would be challenging. George Booth, a theoretical physics professor at King’s College London, called the achievement impressive but said only time would reveal its true impact.
Competition and challenges
Microsoft’s approach has caught the attention of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which has chosen the company’s top conductor as one of two possible pathways for building an industrially viable quantum computer by 2033. The other contender, PsiQuantum, works on a silicon-based photonic technology that relies on light waves instead of Microsoft’s novel state of matter.
Unlike companies such as Google, which have focused on existing quantum computing methods, Microsoft has taken a slower but more resilient approach. It has invested in topological qubits using a newly discovered emergent particle called a Majorana fermion. These particles had never been seen before and had to be created using magnetic fields and superconductors.
While Microsoft previously faced setbacks, including a retracted research paper on topological qubits, it appears more confident in its technology this time.
The road ahead
Despite the excitement, challenges remain. Booth noted that Microsoft’s design is more resistant to interference and more complex to build. Competing with Google’s more mature quantum systems won’t be easy, but if Microsoft’s approach pays off, it could transform industries ranging from cybersecurity to materials science.
Quantum computing is edging closer to reality, but it remains to be seen whether Microsoft can speed up the revolution.
