At a recent American Physical Society meeting, Microsoft's Chetan Nayak discussed the company's ambitious claim of creating the first topological qubits, crucial for noise-resistant quantum computers. While Nayak presented confidently, many physicists expressed skepticism regarding the evidence supporting this claim, especially since it was not substantiated by peer-reviewed research. Some audience members appreciated the presentation but criticized the lack of solid proof backing Microsoft's assertions. Nayak recognized the mixed reactions but maintained that the team's understanding and work are solid, fostering excitement among other researchers in the field.
Nayak acknowledges the criticism: "I never felt like there would be one moment when everyone is fully convinced," he says, adding that Microsoft is confident in its understanding of the devices, and that other researchers are excited by the work.
"It was a beautiful talk," says Daniel Loss, a theorist at the University of Basel in Switzerland. But he took issue with the strong claims and relative lack of evidence. "People have gone overboard, and the community is not happy. They overdid it," he says.
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