According to Microsoft, quantum computers could be built within years instead of decades, citing a recent breakthrough that could lead to faster development.

The organization has created a chip (referred to as Majorana 1) that is driven by the the world’s first topological superconductor, or topoconductor. Topoconductors are novel materials capable creating more dependable, scalable qubits (the building blocks for quantum computers) due to their ability to observe and control Majorana particles.

This material can develop an entirely new state of matter beyond solids, liquids and gases — it creates a topological state. This topological state can be harnessed to develop stable qubits that are small, fast and digitally controlled while forgoing the tradeoffs seen in current alternatives. 

Dr. Marc Manzano, General Manager for Cybersecurity at SandboxAQ, comments, “Microsoft’s topological qubit breakthrough is both exciting and a stark warning: the quantum era is accelerating. Fault-tolerant quantum computing is no longer a distant prospect — it underscores the urgent need for quantum-safe cryptography.”

The organization claims these topoconductors provide a route toward creating quantum systems capable of scaling to a million qubits, which could lead to the production of the most powerful computers seen to date. 

“As we approach the ‘quantum cliff,’ organizations must identify and secure cryptographic assets before scalable quantum machines break today’s encryption,” Dr. Manzano states. “The window for migration is shrinking, and a reactive approach is not an option. Microsoft’s progress is a clear signal: the time to act is now.”