DARPA Tests Microsoft's Quantum Chip at Maryland Research Center
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is set to evaluate Microsoft's latest quantum computing chip, Majorana 2, in a dedicated Maryland facility. The testing will take place at Microsoft's 15,000 square foot quantum research center inside the University of Maryland's Discovery District.
Microsoft's Majorana 2 uses a topological approach to tackle the problem of quantum error correction. This method involves replacing aluminum with lead in the material stack, which the company claims improves overall performance and stability.
The testing is part of DARPA's Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing program, which aims to determine whether competing quantum computing approaches can produce commercially useful machines by 2033.