Microsoft Hands Over Access to DARPA at New Maryland Quantum Center

Microsoft has opened its new quantum research center in Maryland and handed over access to DARPA. The 15,000-square-foot facility will give defense researchers hands-on access to Microsoft's Majorana 2 chip, a topological qubit that's theoretically more resistant to errors.

The center is part of the state-federal 'Capital of Quantum' initiative, which aims to turn the Washington D.C. region into a hub for quantum talent and infrastructure. Maryland committed $52.5 million as an initial investment in the research hub, with combined contributions from DARPA and the state potentially reaching up to $100 million over four years.

Microsoft's Majorana 2 chip is designed to be upgradable, allowing future chips to be swapped in without rebuilding the entire facility. The company has committed to deploying commercial quantum systems by 2029 and was recently selected as one of two finalists in DARPA's Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program.