Current quantum computers struggle with one main issue: qubit stability. Researchers are working hard to solve this. One promising direction is topological quantum computing, which involves using special particles called anyons. Microsoft recently shared research on this in Nature. This comes after a previous claim about anyons that turned out to be incorrect and was retracted.
The latest research focuses on Majorana fermions, which are different from regular Dirac fermions. Majorana fermions can pair up to form what are known as Majorana zero modes (MZMs). These MZMs can be braided together to create logic gates, essential for quantum processing. In the Nature paper, Microsoft’s team showcased a device built from superconducting indium-arsenide (InAs) nanowires. They used a quantum dot interferometer to measure changes in capacitance, indicating the likely presence of MZMs at the ends of the wire.
Microsoft has a dedicated website for their quantum projects. However, it’s important to note that these findings must be verified by independent researchers before they can be fully accepted. If confirmed, MZMs could lead to more robust quantum circuits that require less error correction. Other competing technologies, like hybrid mechanical qubits and qubits made from antimony, also aim to enhance stability by utilizing various spin configurations.
