Microsoft says it will give DARPA on-site access to its latest quantum computing hardware, including the Majorana 2 chip, at its new Maryland research center

DARPA researchers can now test Microsoft's newest quantum hardware without traveling to Seattle or Copenhagen.

Microsoft has opened a new 15,000-square-foot quantum research center at the University of Maryland's Discover District. This facility will provide the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) with on-site access to Microsoft's latest quantum computing hardware, including topological qubits based on its Majorana 2 quantum chip, for independent testing and evaluation. This move is part of Microsoft's strategy to build its quantum ecosystem and bring together experts in the field. The center aims to foster collaboration among systems builders, researchers, academics, students, and the business community, and will also fund quantum postdoctoral positions at the university. Microsoft's quantum hardware makerspace at the center will initially include partners such as AMD, Bluefors, Intel, IQM, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Riverlane, and Quantum Motion, with a focus on applying quantum control technologies and exploring educational tools like Fermilab's Quantum Instrumentation Control Kit.

Microsoft's new quantum research center is strategically located near DARPA facilities, facilitating more direct and continuous collaboration. This proximity suggests a deepening partnership between Microsoft and a key U.S. defense research agency, potentially accelerating the development and validation of quantum technologies for national security applications.

The center's opening and its access for DARPA signal a maturing phase for Microsoft's quantum computing efforts, moving beyond pure research towards practical evaluation. The involvement of multiple hardware and software partners, including AMD, Intel, and Riverlane, indicates a growing effort to establish a robust quantum computing ecosystem and supply chain, positioning Microsoft as a central hub for this collaborative innovation.