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International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
Context:
The United Nations has said that 2025 will be designated as the ‘International Year of Quantum Science and Technology’.
More on News:
- Next year marks the centennial anniversary of Werner Heisenberg’s groundbreaking paper that laid the foundation for modern quantum mechanics.
- The United Nations has declared that the proclamation serves as a call to action for individuals, groups, schools, institutions, and governments to utilise 2025 as a platform to enhance global awareness about quantum science and technology.
- A steering committee is also “planning global initiatives and events, particularly those that reach audiences unaware of the importance of quantum science and technology.”
Contribution of Werner Karl Heisenberg to Quantum Mechanics:
- Matrix Mechanics: In 1925, Heisenberg formulated quantum mechanics in terms of matrices, considered one of the foundational documents of quantum mechanics.
- Uncertainty principle: It says that it is not possible to know the value of all the properties of the system at the same time.
- E.g. Position and speed; the more certain we are of the position of an electron, the less certain we are of its speed.
- Nobel Prize: Awarded in 1932 Nobel Prize in Physics “for the creation of quantum mechanics, the application of which has, inter alia, led to the discovery of the allotropic forms of hydrogen.
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Quantum Mechanics:
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Importance of Quantum Mechanics:
- Fundamental Laws of Physics: Quantum mechanics helped explain the structure of the atom and the photoelectric effect.
- By explaining how things can be both particles and waves, quantum mechanics solved these problems
- Number of applications: Quantum mechanics led to the development of things like lasers, light-emitting diodes, transistors, medical imaging, electron microscopes, and a host of other modern devices.
- Cryptography and Security: Quantum mechanics provides the basis for quantum cryptography, which ensures secure transmission of information by detecting any attempts to intercept or eavesdrop on the communication
- Quantum Computing: Quantum mechanics is necessary for the development of quantum computers, which can perform certain computational tasks exponentially faster than classical computers.
National Quantum Mission:
- Conceptualised by the Prime Minister Science Technology Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) with a total outlay of Rs 6003.65 Crore for eight years.
- Aim:
- To seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).
- Accelerate QT-led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country, and make India one of the leading nations in the development of QT and applications.
- Implemented by: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- This mission is guided by a Mission Governing Board (MGB) and assisted by the Mission Technology Research Council (MTRC) chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
- Objectives:
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- Developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
- Satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometres within India, long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries.
- Mission Implementation includes setting up four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and National R&D institutes in the domains:
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- Quantum Computing
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- Quantum Communication
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- Quantum Sensing & Metrology
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- Quantum Materials & Devices
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- The hubs will focus on the generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them.