微软公司（Microsoft Corp.）宣布了 Majorana 2，这是一款拥有 12 个量子位元的量子计算晶片，加速了其建立商业实用量子电脑的路线图。根据技术院士 Chetan Nayak 的说法，微软已将时程减半，目标是在 2029 年达成此目标。该晶片是一年前首次亮相且引发争议的研究装置的续作，采用了与 Google 和 IBM 不同的独特拓扑量子位元方法。

新的 Majorana 2 晶片具备 12 个量子位元，相较于前一代模型的 8 个量子位元增加了 50%。其主要的突破在于量子位元自身的相干时间，目前已超过 20 秒，与前一代模型不足 12 毫秒的寿命相比，提升了 1,600 倍以上。此外，Majorana 2 将前一代模型的铝制连接器替换为铅超导体。

微软在量子领域的进展面临审查，特别是在第一版 Majorana 首次亮相之后，批评者认为该晶片及随附的论文并未证明该公司所声称的技术飞跃。为了验证其进展，微软（由研究员 Zulfi Alam 代表）正与五角大厦的国防高等研究计划署（DARPA）密切合作。大批 DARPA 的科学家每周对该计划进行审查，并拥有获取所有数据的完整权限；微软分享这些数据是为了获得外部验证，同时避免向商业竞争对手泄露其专有技术。

Microsoft Corp. announced Majorana 2, a 12-qubit quantum-computing chip, accelerating its roadmap to build a commercially useful quantum computer. According to technical fellow Chetan Nayak, Microsoft has cut its timeline in half, aiming to reach this target by 2029. This chip is a sequel to a controversial research device debuted a year ago, employing a unique topological qubit approach different from Google and IBM.

The new Majorana 2 chip features 12 qubits, representing a 50 percent increase from the 8 qubits of the previous model. The primary breakthrough lies in qubit coherence time, which now exceeds 20 seconds, representing an improvement of over 1,600 times compared to the prior model's lifespan of less than 12 milliseconds. Additionally, Majorana 2 replaces the previous model's aluminum connectors with a lead superconductor.

Microsoft's quantum progress has faced scrutiny, particularly after the debut of the first Majorana version, which critics argued lacked sufficient proof of a technological leap. To validate its advancements, Microsoft, represented by researcher Zulfi Alam, is collaborating closely with the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). An army of DARPA scientists reviews the program weekly, having full access to all data, which Microsoft shares to gain external validation without exposing its proprietary technology to commercial competitors.