Quantum computing has recently achieved significant milestones, bringing us closer to practical applications. In December 2024, Google introduced Willow, a 105-qubit superconducting processor that demonstrated exponential error correction. This means that as more qubits are added, the error rate decreases, a crucial step toward scalable quantum systems. Willow also completed a complex computation in under five minutes, a task that would take today's fastest supercomputers an estimated 10 septillion years. en.wikipedia.org
Similarly, Microsoft unveiled Majorana 1, the world's first quantum processor powered by topological qubits. This innovation leverages Majorana particles to enhance qubit stability and reduce errors, moving us closer to fault-tolerant quantum computing. Microsoft's approach aims to build error protection directly into the hardware, simplifying the development of large-scale quantum systems. en.wikipedia.org
The development of Willow and Majorana 1 processors signifies a leap toward practical quantum computing. These advancements could revolutionize fields like pharmaceuticals, material science, and logistics by solving complex problems more efficiently than classical computers. For instance, quantum computing could accelerate drug discovery by simulating molecular interactions at an unprecedented scale, leading to faster development of new medications.