Microsoft believes it has achieved a significant breakthrough in quantum computing, potentially accelerating its efforts to develop a large-scale quantum computer. According to the company, it has successfully created a “Goldilocks” particle, a theoretical subatomic particle, that could enable the creation of commercially viable quantum computers in the near future. This development could position Microsoft ahead of competitors such as PsiQuantum, a company with Australian government backing.
The breakthrough involves the creation of a Majorana fermion, a subatomic particle. Microsoft, in collaboration with the University of Sydney until last year, found a way to harness this particle as a quantum bit, or qubit. Qubits are the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers.
John Davidson is an award-winning columnist and senior writer based in Sydney, writing about personal technology. You can connect with John on Twitter or email him at jdavidson@afr.com.
