Majorana 1: Experts criticize Microsoft-Chip-these are Maria Gramsch’s facts first appeared on Basic Thinking. You always stay up to date with our newsletter.
Microsoft has introduced its new Majorana 1 chip. The new quantum processor should make it possible to develop more robust quantum computers in the future. But while the news triggered a small hype in some places, experts see the advance rather critically.
On February 19, Microsoft has its new quantum processor Majorana 1 presented. The company itself describes the chip as “the world’s first quantum processor with topological qubits”.
If this were actually the case, Microsoft would have created an enormous step for stable quantum computing with this development. But experts see the publication critically.
What is Majorana 1 from Microsoft?
According to Microsoft, the quantum processor Majorana 1 is “the world’s first quantum processing unit (QPU) with a topological core”. The basis of the chip should therefore form topological quBITs, which in turn can represent the core of a quantum computer.
Microsoft designed Majorana 1 so that up to a million quBITs could be installed on a single chip. At the same time, this is not larger than currently used processors.
To achieve this, so-called majorana particles are used. With Majorana 1, Microsoft has proven a marjoram state for the first time. This is a new state of matter that is the basis for the development of new and disruptive quantum computers.
In addition to a Detailed press release Microsoft also has its research results in one Specialist articles at Nature published. But here, too, the first doubts about the supposed breakthrough can be found. So it says in the associated Peer Review File: “The editorial team would like to point out that the results in this manuscript do not prove proof of the presence of majorana states in the reported components.”
Quantum computer: the problem with the qubits
Quantum bits – or for short qubits – have so far been extremely prone to errors and sensitive, which is why they can only keep their quantum state for the fraction of a second. Even the smallest disorders, such as stray light, can influence the quBITs and thus cause calculation errors. This problem is increasingly increasing the more quBits are installed – the larger the quantum computer.
Google has already in 2019 Quantum computer “Sycamore” presented. This solved a computing task within three and a half minutes. In contrast, the fastest supercomputer would have taken around 10,000 years for this task.
The potential of quantum computers is therefore enormous. You could solve tasks that conventional computers could never solve. For example, it would be possible with you to develop new medication or materials. Therefore, the development of powerful quantum computers has become a real competition for many large tech companies and scientists.
Can Microsoft secure 1 stable quBits with Majorana?
In the past, tech giants such as Google or IBM have already equipped devices of up to 1000 qubits. At the beginning of 2023, for example, Google reported the successful use of so -called logical qubits.
Here, several quables are connected to a logical unit, which distributes arithmetic tasks over several shoulders, so to speak. If a computing task fails by a disorder and loses its quantum state, the logical unit can continue to calculate.
Microsoft, on the other hand, goes a different way – with the aim of creating a “topological” qubit. Since these are much more robust quBITs, calculations could be carried out much more reliably. Because the qubits would no longer have to be shielded so much by external influences. The described majorana states offer one way to create such a topological qubit.
Failures in the research of Microsoft
So far, these majorana states have not been proven. Because although Microsoft has already invested hundreds of million US dollars in their development, research has so far been more of failure.
In 2017, the tech giant opened a research center near the Delft University of Technology. The team of the LICHTICH institute based there published one in March 2018 Article at Naturein which it was said that a majorana state could be detected for the first time.
In 2020, however, the two physicists and ex-employees Sergey Frolov and Vincent Mourik made it aware that The results are not reproducible are. Leo Kouwenhoven, head of the Quotech Institute, finally had to admit mistakes when evaluating his research results. In March 2021 he pulled his Nature-then back.
The criticism of Microsoft and Majorana 1
But what about the Microsoft chip Majorana 1? After all, the detection of majorana states is not that easy. Because even if this can be created, the undoubtedly free evidence is another stage. To do this, several majorana states would have to be created at the same time and exchanged. This is the only way to prove that the swapping in your wave function can be read.
However, the researchers at Microsoft did not proceed. In your Nature-Articles describe the procedure with a super -conducting nano wire made of indium arsenide. While the electrons in supercaps always form couples, the researchers from Microsoft were able to measure an odd number of electrons. In theory, this excess electron would apparently split up and trigger a suggestion at both ends of the wire-which in turn would correspond to a majorana state.
But although the Microsoft researchers were able to demonstrate an additional electron in the nano wire, there are doubts. By Nature-Arikel it says: “These measurements alone say nothing about whether the proven lower energy conditions are topological.”
Scientists criticize the procedure of Microsoft
Have physicists from the University of Basel already proven in May 2024that the protocol used by Microsoft does not work perfectly to determine majorana states. But this is exactly used in the current publication by Microsoft.
Experts also criticize the choice of experts for the Nature-Article. This includes, among other things, the physicist Hao Zhang, who has already published in the past together with Microsoft. In addition, Zhang had previously been involved in specialist articles on majorana states as a co-author, but they were withdrawn.
The physicist Sergey Frolov also criticizes the choice: “That Nature has chosen Zhang as an expert is a serious mistake that undermines confidence in the journal, ”as he In a post at bluesky writes. In another post he describes the publication of Microsoft as “embarrassment”.
Also the physicist Christian Dickel from the University of Cologne is critical of LinkedIn to the publication. He expresses doubts that “this work deserves it in the magazine Nature to be published ”. “The evidence of an actual topological phase is at best poor. There is definitely no topological qubit. “
In addition to the choice of Hao Zhang as an expert, he also criticizes “the way Microsoft tries to market this result”. The company’s approach is “frankly embarrassed because it seems desperate”.
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Majorana 1: Experts criticize Microsoft-Chip-these are Maria Gramsch’s facts first appeared on Basic Thinking. Follow us too Google News and Flipboard.
As a Tech Industry expert, I believe that it is important to critically analyze and assess new technologies, including the Majorana 1 chip developed by Microsoft. While it is not uncommon for experts to criticize new advancements in the tech industry, it is crucial to consider the facts and evidence supporting these criticisms.
In the case of the Majorana 1 chip, experts have raised concerns about its performance, reliability, and security features. These criticisms are based on objective evaluations and assessments of the chip’s capabilities and potential limitations. It is essential for companies like Microsoft to address these concerns and work towards improving the quality and effectiveness of their products.
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, it is inevitable that there will be both praise and criticism for new innovations. It is the responsibility of tech companies to listen to feedback from experts and users, and strive to continuously enhance their products to meet the highest standards of quality and performance. Only through open dialogue and constructive criticism can the tech industry continue to push boundaries and drive progress.
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