Microsoft Launches First Quantum Chip, Majorana 1

Microsoft has unveiled Majorana 1, its inaugural quantum computing chip, after nearly two decades of dedicated research. The groundbreaking chip marks a significant milestone, as it necessitated the creation of a new state of matter known as a topological state.

Microsoft announced its first quantum computing chip, Majorana 1, on Wednesday.

A breakthrough in quantum computing. Majorana 1 brings us closer to harnessing millions of potential qubits working together to solve the unsolvable—from new medicines to revolutionary materials—all on a single chip. #QuantumComputing #QuantumReady https://t.co/mpj8VwEQj0 pic.twitter.com/zlQoyoFURv

— Microsoft (@Microsoft) February 19, 2025

The Majorana 1 chip employs eight topological qubits using indium arsenide and aluminium. This challenging development process involved atom-by-atom material alignment.

Microsoft highlighted the complexity of understanding topological matter and its potential for future advancements in quantum computing. A detailed paper on the chip was published in the journal Nature.

Despite not making the chip available through its Azure public cloud yet, Microsoft views Majorana 1 as a step towards achieving a million qubits on a chip.

The components of Majorana 1 are being manufactured by Microsoft in the U.S., and the company aims to reach a few hundred qubits before considering commercial reliability.

Investors remain intrigued by quantum computing, with significant gains seen in the shares of companies like IonQ and Rigetti.

Microsoft’s Azure Quantum cloud service offers access to chips from these companies, and a future Microsoft quantum chip may be available through Azure before 2030.

Quantum computing is expected to enhance other Microsoft sectors, including its AI business, by enabling the creation of new molecules and drugs.

CNBC