Microsoft утверждает 20-секундный Qubit с чипом Majorana 2

Microsoft's new Majorana 2 chip claims a 20-second to 1-minute qubit longevity, a significant improvement over its predecessor. However, physicists are unimpressed, citing a lack of convincing data and a flawed approach. The company's use of lead as a superconductor has raised eyebrows, with one expert noting that it's generally avoided in such applications.

The Controversy Surrounding Microsoft's Claims Microsoft's announcement of the Majorana 2 chip has sparked controversy in the physics community, with some experts questioning the validity of the company's claims. The data presented in the preprint manuscript has been criticized for being based on a handful of instances on a single device, rather than a large-scale, reproducible study.

A History of Disputed Results This is not the first time Microsoft has faced criticism for its quantum computing claims. In 2021, the company retracted a high-profile Nature paper after outside experts pointed out that the study's data could have come from material imperfections rather than a topological qubit. Similar concerns have been raised about several publications since, including last year's announcement of the Majorana 1 chip. The latest claim, made in a new preprint manuscript, builds on these disputed results. The team has replaced the Majorana 1 chip's aluminum superconductor with one made of lead, which they claim improves the longevity of the hypothetical qubit. However, physicists argue that the results are not convincing and lack peer review. As the quantum computing race continues, Microsoft's claims will be closely watched. If the company can demonstrate scalable, practical quantum computing by 2029, it could give them a significant advantage. However, for now, the physics community remains skeptical, and the company's reputation in the field is at stake. With the Majorana 2 chip, Microsoft is attempting to prove the existence of Majorana quasiparticles, a fundamental component of its topological quantum computing approach. The outcome of this effort will determine the future of Microsoft's quantum computing ambitions.

Source: Microsoft's upgraded Majorana quantum computing chip fizzles with physicists
Domain: scientificamerican.com