Microsoft Unveils First Topological Quantum Processor

On February 19, 2025, Microsoft officially introduced its first quantum computing chip, "Majorana 1," marking a milestone in the evolution of quantum technology. This is also the world's first quantum processor driven by topological qubits. The Majorana 1 chip utilizes a groundbreaking material known as a topoconductor, capable of housing up to eight topological quantum bits. This achievement represents a transformative step toward practical quantum computing, with the potential to expand to one million quantum bits on a single chip in the future.

According to Microsoft, topoconductors are a newly discovered state of matter previously theorized but never observed. This revolutionary material enables the creation of topological superconductivity, made possible by innovations in the design and fabrication of gate-defined devices. These devices combine indium arsenide (a semiconductor) and aluminum (a superconductor). When cooled to near absolute zero and adjusted with a magnetic field, these devices form topological superconducting nanowires, with the wire ends exhibiting Majorana zero modes (MZM).

For nearly a century, MZMs existed only in textbooks. Today, Microsoft's technology allows for their creation and manipulation within topoconductors. These MZMs serve as the building blocks for quantum bits, storing quantum information through "parity," where the wire contains either an even or odd number of electrons. In traditional superconductors, electrons pair up into Cooper pairs and move without resistance. Any unpaired electrons require extra energy to detect. However, in the topoconductors, an unpaired electron is shared between a pair of MZMs, making it invisible to the environment. This unique feature helps protect quantum information.

Microsoft also employs digital switches to couple the ends of the nanowires to quantum dots—tiny semiconductor devices capable of storing charge. This connection enhances the ability of the quantum dots to maintain charge. Crucially, the exact increase in performance depends on the parity of the nanowires.

The company reports that the system demonstrates impressive stability. External energy, such as electromagnetic radiation, can disrupt Cooper pairs, generating unpaired electrons that alter the quantum bit's state from even to odd.

Microsoft shared, "Eighteen months ago, we outlined the roadmap for developing quantum supercomputers. Today, we have achieved the second milestone, demonstrating the world's first topological qubit. We have successfully placed eight topological quantum bits on a chip designed to eventually accommodate one million quantum bits."