What you need to know
- Microsoft has taken a key step toward creating a topological qubit.
- Topological qubits are essential to Microsoft's approach to scale quantum computing to a new level.
- Quantum computing can be used to help solve complex math problems that are needed for solutions to real-world topics including sustainable energy, food production, and environmental care.
Microsoft is working toward creating a new era of quantum computing. The company's efforts revolve around creating millions of qubits that can work together. Newly developed devices by Microsoft's Azure Quantum program can create quantum properties that help demonstrate the validity of physics that has been theorized for decades.
Microsoft's news post (opens in new tab), and the topic of quantum computing in general, is highly technical. The main takeaway is that Microsoft has brought scientists one step closer to creating a topological quantum bit, also known as a qubit for short. The unique type of qubit forms the foundation of Microsoft's approach to making quantum computers that can scale more than existing systems.
Microsoft Distinguished Engineer Krysta Svore said that the latest breakthrough could pave the way for computing on a new level.
"What's amazing is humans have been able to engineer a system to demonstrate one of the most exotic pieces of physics in the universe," said Svore. "And we expect to capitalize on this to do the almost unthinkable — to push towards a fault-tolerant quantum machine that will enable computation on an entirely new level that's closer to the way nature operates."
"It's never been done before, and until now it was never certain that it could be done," she continued. "And now it's like yes, here's this ultimate validation that we're on the right path."
While the latest news from Microsoft is considered a large step, scalable quantum computing is still far off.
"There's no fundamental obstacle to producing a topological qubit anymore," said Microsoft General Manager for Fabrication Lauri Sainiemi. "This definitely doesn't mean that we're done — we still have tons of work to do. But the fundamental part has been demonstrated, and now we're on more of an engineering path and that's what we'll continue to pursue."
