Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
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Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#2[deleted]
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#3In case others like me don’t know what a Majorana particle is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majorana_fermion
“A Majorana fermion (/maɪəˈrɑːnə/[1]) or Majorana particle is a fermion that is its own antiparticle. They were hypothesised by Ettore Majorana in 1937. The term is sometimes used in opposition to Dirac fermion, which describes fermions that are not their own antiparticles.”
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#4I can’t really understand this quantum stuff. What does this mean for Microsoft? Is it something that is unique to them? Or is it something that others like Google or Chinese companies can easily replicate? Does it change anything for encryption or cybersecurity?
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#5Another nice write-up at NYTimes (gift):
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/technology/microsoft-quan...
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#6In case others like me don’t know what a Majorana particle is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majorana_fermion “A Majorana fermion (/maɪəˈrɑːnə/[1]) or Majorana particle is a fermion that is its own antiparticle. They were hypothesised by Ettore Majorana in 1937. The term is sometimes used in opposition to Dirac fermion, which describes fermions that are not their own antiparticles.”
I am still confused. Are these made of quarks? Electrons? Atoms? Ions?
All the article says is "a new material made from indium arsenide and aluminum".
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#7Earlier official post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43103623
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#8I can’t really understand this quantum stuff. What does this mean for Microsoft? Is it something that is unique to them? Or is it something that others like Google or Chinese companies can easily replicate? Does it change anything for encryption or cybersecurity?
Post quantum encryption basics https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-quantum_cryptography
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#9Sounds more like a bid for funding than a real product. Looks to me like there is not any suggestion at all in these articles that this thing can today do anything.
Re: Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough with new Majorana 1 chip
#10Sounds more like a bid for funding than a real product. Looks to me like there is not any suggestion at all in these articles that this thing can today do anything.
The first steps in delivering a finished product is often a successful sales pitch for funding.
Something I imagine this sites crowd should appreciate.