Microsoft recently announced a partnership with Atom Computing to drive the commercial adoption of quantum technology at the recent Microsoft Ignite 2024 event. Just two months later, the collaboration achieved a new world record by entangling 24 logical qubits.
The duo plans to launch a commercial quantum computer by 2025, which would unlock advancements in areas like chemistry and materials science.
“As we make progress on our journey to large-scale quantum computing, I’m thrilled to share that we have achieved the most performant logical qubits on record, and we’re bringing a new generation of reliable quantum hardware to customers,” said Microsoft chief Satya Nadella.
We've reached a new era in quantum computing. Today, we're announcing the best performing logical qubits on record and will provide priority access to reliable quantum hardware in Azure Quantum.https://t.co/E78sVDHHrQ. #AzureQuantum #Quantum @QuantinuumQC @Atom_Computing pic.twitter.com/Kzv4sET8Or
— Microsoft (@Microsoft) September 10, 2024
Joined Forces
The partnership, unveiled earlier this month, provides high-performance computing to successfully process the logical qubits, or quantum bits, marking a milestone in the journey to achieve fault-tolerant quantum computing.
“With 100 reliable qubits, we achieve scientific advantage,” said, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella, hinting at a new era of quantum computing.
Addressing this, Nadella spoke about how these logical qubits are linked together, forming the world’s most powerful quantum machine foundation.
To give you a sense of why this matters, adding a hundred of these reliable qubits would achieve a scientific quantum advantage.
To enable next-generation quantum computers that surpass today’s noisy qubits, the tech giant is collaborating on a commercial offering that integrates scientific solutions in Azure with a quantum computing platform and the virtualisation layer he highlighted.
In a major quantum result from Microsoft and Atom Computing using a 256-qubit neutral atom processor, researchers demonstrated 24 logical qubits entangled with advanced error correction and performed large-scale quantum operations. This is a major step toward scalable quantum systems.
Once quantum computers become commercially available, it is likely that many may not fully grasp how rapidly things will evolve. If this turns out to be true, major changes could be on the horizon.
Quantum computing promises to tackle complex problems in areas like materials science, cryptography, and drug discovery that classical computers struggle with. Notably, Microsoft is pioneering the development of topological qubits, which are theorised to be more stable and less error-prone than traditional qubits.
Quantum computing uses error-sensitive qubits for information processing. See how our virtualization system works like "noise-cancelling headphones," boosting reliability: https://t.co/UC7F6yCtPP #AzureQuantum pic.twitter.com/b3VuEu7Mat
— Azure Quantum (@MSFTQuantum) September 3, 2024
Microsoft also aims to use quantum computing to address complex problems that are currently impractical for classical computers. This includes applications in drug discovery, climate modelling, and materials science, where quantum computers can simulate interactions with a level of detail that classical systems cannot match. It also seeks to improve tolerance and scalability in quantum computing, addressing one of the major challenges in the field.
In addition, Microsoft has established partnerships with leading universities and research institutions to advance its quantum research. For instance, collaborations focus on developing cryogenic control platforms necessary for operating quantum systems at ultra-low temperatures.
The company is currently working on scaling its quantum systems in order to gain practical quantum advantage. This would create a large number of logical qubits capable of outperforming the classical systems for particular tasks within a reasonable timeframe.
Moreover, by using Azure Quantum, various quantum technologies have been integrated into their cloud-based platform, Azure. It offers a compound approach while combining both quantum and classical computing and positioning it as a leader in quantum-cloud solutions.
By adding quantum technology to Azure, Microsoft aims to support this platform with a wide range of applications, especially by providing access to multiple quantum hardware choices.
The race is intense with big tech companies like Google, IBM, and Amazon heading to lead the quantum space. Microsoft aims to stay ahead by securing its position in this highly competitive field by pledging dedication towards quantum technology.
Through this all, Microsoft’s approach focuses on topological qubits, a conceptual type of qubit.
If successful, this innovation could overcome one of quantum computing’s biggest challenges.
An overview of quantum computing stocks as of 2024 showed key metrics such as stock price, market cap, P/E ratio, and YTD performance. Nvidia stood out with a 190.66% year-to-date (YTD) growth, while companies like Microsoft and IBM showed steady positive trends. In contrast, Baidu and Intel saw major declines, with Intel losing over half its value YTD.
It also showed technical indicators like relative strength rank and moving averages, highlighting the varied performance of companies in the quantum computing space.
Long-Term Vision
This is a long-term game. Microsoft recognises that upfront quantum applications may still be years away, but the foundation built will determine the leaders of tomorrow. By investing in research, partnerships, and quantum education, the company is placing itself as a major player in the field.
Its strategy in quantum computing aligns with its broader mission to improve organisations with advanced technology. By integrating quantum computing into Azure and focusing on scalable quantum architectures, Microsoft is betting on a future where quantum capabilities redefine technological possibilities.
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