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mikelewis

(4,450 posts)
Wed Mar 19, 2025, 10:53 AM Mar 19

Could Microsoft's Quantum Discovery Be Real? A Theoretical Model for Robust Quantum States

The equation in this post is experimental only and not to be taken as a model for real quantum physics. It can help you approximate certain systems and that's the best I have been able to get out of it. It's a lovely toy... enjoy!

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Microsoft’s recent claim of discovering a stable Majorana zero mode has sparked both excitement and skepticism. The implications are huge: if true, this discovery could be a key step toward fault-tolerant quantum computing, where quantum information remains stable against errors. But given the complexity of quantum physics—and the history of unverified claims in the field—many researchers are questioning whether such an exotic state is even possible.

Rather than dismissing the claim outright, let’s explore one way in which such states could emerge, using a theoretical model that links geometry and spin. While this is not an experimentally verified proof, it provides a mathematical framework that shows how stability could arise naturally in a quantum system.

The Role of Geometry and Spin in Quantum Stability
At the heart of quantum mechanics is the idea that particles don’t behave like tiny billiard balls. Instead, they exist as wave-like states that can be influenced by both their spatial configuration and their intrinsic spin.

Geometry: The Shape of Quantum States Imagine a circular system. The radius r represents the fundamental size or energy of the state. Just like the area of a circle remains the same no matter how you rotate it, there are certain quantum properties that should be rotation-invariant—meaning they don’t change when you turn the system.
Orientation: How Direction Affects the State While some properties are fixed, others depend on the angle ϕphi—the direction in which the quantum state is oriented. In physical systems, this could represent the phase of the wavefunction, or how the state interacts with its environment.
Spin: A Built-In Quantum Twist Particles like electrons have spin, which means they have an inherent orientation in space (often simplified as “up” or “down”). Spin interacts with the system’s geometry, sometimes reinforcing stability and sometimes disrupting it.

To capture these relationships mathematically, we propose the following equation:

Equation: c² = r² + n(o) (r⁴ sin²(2ϕ ) ) / (4 * (r² + e ) )

Where:

r² is the stable, rotation-invariant component.
sin²(2ϕ ) introduces a dependence on the orientation of the system.
n(o) (equal to +1 for spin up and -1 for spin down) determines whether spin adds to or subtracts from the stability of the state.
e is a small constant ensuring the equation behaves well mathematically.

How This Relates to Majorana Zero Modes
If Microsoft’s discovery is real, it suggests that Majorana zero modes are highly resistant to noise and external disturbances. But why would such a state be so stable?

This equation hints at a possible explanation:

The base term r2 provides a stable foundation that remains the same under rotation.
The orientation-dependent correction adds a controlled variation that might allow the system to adapt rather than collapse under external interference.
The spin-dependent modulation suggests that quantum states might be self-correcting, adjusting their properties based on their intrinsic spin.

Such a mechanism could help explain why Majorana zero modes—if they truly exist—behave differently from other quantum states, potentially making them ideal building blocks for quantum computing.

Why This Matters
This model does not prove Microsoft’s discovery, but it does suggest that the idea of a robust, topologically protected quantum state is mathematically plausible. It also aligns with the broader principles of topological quantum computing, where stability emerges from deep symmetries in the system rather than from fine-tuned external control.

For those skeptical of Microsoft’s claim, this model provides an alternative way to think about why such a state might be possible. For those excited about the future of quantum computing, it highlights an important direction for further theoretical and experimental work.

As with all breakthroughs, the burden of proof lies with experimental confirmation. But before dismissing the claim outright, it’s worth considering that quantum stability might not be an impossible dream—it might be an emergent property of the fundamental relationship between geometry and spin.



For Example:

c² = r² + n(o) (r⁴ sin²(2ϕ ) ) / (4 * (r² + e) )

where:

r is the radial distance (and r² is like the sum a² + b²),
ϕ is the angle that determines the orientation,
n(o) is +1 for spin up and -1 for spin down,
e is a small number to avoid division by zero.

Suppose:

r = 2,
ϕ = 45° (which is π/4 radians),
n(o) = +1 (spin up),
Assume ϵ is negligible (say, ϵ ≈ 0 for simplicity).

Compute r²: r² = 2² = 4.
Determine sin²(2ϕ ): Since 2ϕ = 90° (or π/2 radians), we have sin(90°) = 1, so sin²(2ϕ ) = 1.
Compute the correction term: (r⁴ sin²(2ϕ ) ) / (4 (r² + ϵ ) ) = (2⁴ 1) / (4 4) = 16 / 16 = 1.
Finally, calculate c²: c² = r² + n(o) (r⁴ sin²(2ϕ ) ) / (4 * (r² + ϵ ) ) = 4 + 1 = 5.

So for a spin-up state, c² = 5, meaning c is approximately √5 ≈ 2.236.

If you switch the spin to down ( n(o) = -1), the correction term subtracts:

c² = 4 - 1 = 3,

giving c ≈ √3 ≈ 1.732.

What This Means
By construction, it works: Since we defined c² to be exactly that expression, you can compute c² for any r, ϕ, and spin state.
It captures our desired dependencies: The basic geometry (r²) is always there, but the additional term (involving sin²(2ϕ ) introduces an angular dependence. The spin factor then decides whether that extra “flavor” adds to or subtracts from the overall quantity.
It's a model, not a derived law: While it “works” in that you can compute it by hand, its physical validity depends on whether this form truly reflects the underlying physics (e.g., for Majorana modes or any quantum system you wish to describe).



This result tells us a few important things about how geometry and spin interact in a quantum system.

The Base Stability Comes from Geometry:
Spin and Orientation Affect the State:
The System Can Self-Regulate:
Potential Explanation for Majorana Zero Modes:
Why This Matters for Quantum Computing:

Final Takeaway:
This model doesn’t prove Microsoft’s discovery, but it gives a reason why such a quantum state could exist. If quantum states can use geometry and spin to regulate their stability, then error-resistant computing might not just be possible—it might be a natural consequence of deeper physical laws.

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Could Microsoft's Quantum Discovery Be Real? A Theoretical Model for Robust Quantum States (Original Post) mikelewis Mar 19 OP
I'm exited to see mathematicians finally embrace emojis. CincyDem Mar 19 #1
LOL I am fixing it... I forget sometime that DU and equations don't work! LOL nt mikelewis Mar 19 #2
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