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DARPA Taps Microsoft's Quantum Power for Security
23 Sep
Summary
- DARPA gains on-site access to Microsoft's latest quantum hardware.
- The new research center in Maryland houses Microsoft's Majorana 2 chip.
- Quantum computing is crucial for national security and encrypted communications.
Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it is providing the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) with direct, on-site access to its cutting-edge quantum computing hardware. This access is part of a new research center established in Maryland.
The center, located near Washington, D.C., features a new quantum system equipped with Microsoft's Majorana 2 chip. DARPA experts will now be able to conduct independent testing and evaluation of this hardware.
Quantum computers are anticipated to solve complex problems far beyond the capacity of conventional machines. For national security, a key interest lies in securing and deciphering encrypted communications.
Microsoft is among several quantum firms under DARPA's review to determine if quantum computing can lead to cost-effective systems by 2033. Previously, DARPA's evaluations were conducted remotely.
This new physical access arrangement allows DARPA to thoroughly assess the performance and capabilities of Microsoft's quantum systems. The evaluation metric focuses on whether the computational value of a quantum system justifies its expense.
Future chips from Microsoft are designed to be interchangeable within the Maryland system. Microsoft aims to have commercial quantum systems available by 2029.
