In February 2025, Microsoft introduced the Majorana 1 quantum computer, sparking intense debate in the quantum computing field. The device relies on topological qubits based on Majorana zero modes, promising greater error resistance, but faces skepticism over its functionality. Critics question the evidence, while Microsoft pushes forward with additional data and advancements.
Microsoft's announcement of the Majorana 1 quantum computer in February 2025 marked a bold step in quantum technology, but it quickly ignited controversy. The system uses topological qubits, which theoretically offer superior protection against errors compared to other qubit types. These qubits are built around elusive Majorana zero modes (MZMs), a pursuit Microsoft has followed for years amid mixed results.
Past setbacks fueled the scrutiny. In 2021, a Microsoft paper in Nature claiming evidence for topological qubit building blocks was retracted due to analytical flaws. A 2023 experiment on a Majorana 1 predecessor also drew heavy criticism from experts.
The 2025 Nature paper on Majorana 1 was published alongside an unusual editorial note from the journal, stating that the results "do not represent evidence for the presence of Majorana zero modes in the reported devices." Microsoft's press release, however, asserted the opposite, claiming a breakthrough.
In March, at the American Physical Society Global Summit in Anaheim, California, Microsoft researcher Chetan Nayak presented new data to address doubts. Yet, critics like Henry Legg at the University of St Andrews in the UK remained unconvinced. "The data they presented then and since simply does not show a functional topological qubit. It doesn’t even show the basic building blocks of a topological qubit," Legg said.
Nayak described the community's response as "thoughtful debate and inquisitive engagement." By July, Microsoft released further measurements, which Eun-Ah Kim at Cornell University in New York viewed positively. "[I am] very happy to see the progress," she noted.
The project has advanced to the final phase of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, aiming to validate scalable quantum computing. Nayak called the year "transformative," with plans for a larger successor to Majorana 1. Still, Legg cautioned that "fundamental physics does not respect the timelines set by big tech companies."
This ongoing tension highlights the challenges in achieving reliable quantum systems, balancing bold claims with rigorous proof.
