What is Majorana 1? Top 5 things to know about Microsoft's quantum computing chip

Microsoft released Majorana 1, the world's first quantum chip built on a topological core on Wednesday, February 19, with CEO Satya Nadella calling it an “entirely new state of matter, unlocked by a new class of materials, top conductors, that enable a fundamental leap in computing". Microsoft's Majorana 1 quantum computing chip is pictured in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on February 19, 2025. Satya Nadella said on X, “After a nearly 20 year pursuit, we’ve created an entirely new state of matter, unlocked by a new class of materials, topoconductors, that enable a fundamental leap in computing.” 5 things to know about Microsoft's ‘Majorana’: 1) Majorana Fermion particle Majorana 1 relies on a subatomic particle called the Majorana fermion which was theorised as existing by scientist Ettore Majorana in 1937, a Bloomberg report quoted Jason Zander, a Microsoft executive vice president as saying. 5) Majorana 1 gets big name takers already The US Department of Defense has shown strong interest in the new technology, according to a report by news agency AFP, which added that Microsoft has been selected as one of just two companies to advance to the final phase of its quantum computing program.