Majorana 1 chip announced by Microsoft, a quantum computing breakthrough
Microsoft has announced Majorana 1, the ‘world’s first quantum chip powered by a new Topological Core architecture’, which has included creating an entirely new state of matter.
On Wednesday (February 19), the company shared the news of its latest breakthrough that leverages the world’s first topoconductor. This material can observe and control Majorana particles to produce scalable qubits, which are the building blocks for quantum computing.
While it marks a huge step forward within the industry, the announcement highlights a no shift in science. “Most of us grew up learning there are three main types of matter that matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Today, that changed,” says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
“After a nearly 20-year pursuit, we’ve created an entirely new state of matter, unlocked by a new class of materials, topoconductors, that enable a fundamental leap in computing.”
A couple reflections on the quantum computing breakthrough we just announced…
Most of us grew up learning there are three main types of matter that matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Today, that changed.
After a nearly 20 year pursuit, we’ve created an entirely new state of… pic.twitter.com/Vp4sxMHNjc
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) February 19, 2025
The chip could bring quantum computing capable of “solving meaningful, industrial-scale problems in years, not decades” says the technology giant.
“We took a step back and said ‘OK, let’s invent the transistor for the quantum age. What properties does it need to have?’” said Chetan Nayak, Microsoft technical fellow.
“And that’s really how we got here – it’s the particular combination, the quality and the important details in our new materials stack that have enabled a new kind of qubit and ultimately our entire architecture.”
What could Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip be used for?The architecture used to develop the processor of the Majorana 1 is said to offer a “clear path to fit a million qubits on a single chip that can fit in the palm of one’s hand.”
“Whatever you’re doing in the quantum space needs to have a path to a million qubits. If it doesn’t, you’re going to hit a wall before you get to the scale at which you can solve the really important problems that motivate us,” Nayak said. “We have worked out a path to a million.”
To achieve this feat, the team at Microsoft had to develop an entirely new materials stack consisting of indium arsenide and aluminum. The company designed and fabricated much of it atom by atom.
The achievement has led to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) – a federal agency that invests in breakthrough technologies that are important to national security – including Microsoft in a program looking at innovative quantum computing technologies.
To bolster the movement forward, Microsoft has also partnered with Quantinuum and Atom Computing to “reach scientific and engineering breakthroughs with today’s qubits.”
Featured Image: Via Microsoft News
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