Microsoft moves from pure research to begin engineering a topological quantum computer

November 21, 2016

Microsoft is doubling down on its commitment to the field of quantum computing, making a strong bet that it is possible to create a scalable quantum computer using what is called a topological qubit. Longtime Microsoft executive Todd Holmdahl will lead the scientific and engineering effort to create scalable quantum hardware and software. He believes the company’s long investment in quantum research has been fruitful enough that there’s a clear roadmap to a scalable quantum computer.

“I think we’re at an inflection point in which we are ready to go from research to engineering. None of these things are a given, but you have to take some amount of risk in order to make a big impact in the world, and I think we’re at the point now that we have the opportunity to do that.”
– Todd Holmdahl, Vice President of Microsoft Quantum Program

Microsoft hopes to create dependable tools that scientists without a quantum background can use to solve some of the world’s most difficult problems. By doing that, they believe they will help usher in a “quantum economy” that could revolutionize industries such as medicine and materials science.

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