Raising Awareness about Quantum Science and Technology

On 7 June 2024, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ-2025). This followed a resolution adopted by UNESCO at its General Conference held in November 2023. With this, the United Nations officially recognized the importance of Quantum Science and its role in advancing technologies to support education, research and solve human problems. The declaration will be a global initiative to celebrate 100-years of Quantum Mechanics, its contributions to technological progress, and aims to raise public awareness about its significance.

The year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of a research paper by German Physicist, Werner Heisenberg, widely recognized as the founder of Quantum Mechanics, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1932 for his pioneering work. The IYQ initiative will encourage member countries, research institutions, scientists and activists to apply Quantum Science and Technology to address the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which targets the challenges in climate, energy, food security, medicine and clean water. Various national and international events are being planned to showcase the influence of Quantum Science on our future with the aim of fostering capacity building and collaboration in the field.

Quantum Science (Quantum Mechanics) is a fundamental branch of Modern Physics, alongside Classical Physics. Both frameworks seek to uncover the basic principles and laws that govern the natural world. They apply universally, from subatomic particles to galaxies, describing the behavior of matter, energy, space and time. Thus, Physics forms the foundation for other scientific disciplines such as chemistry, biology and engineering. While Classical Physics explains everything from the motion of planets to the mechanics of objects, it fails at very small scales. Quantum Science steps in to describe the behavior of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic levels. This fundamental theoretical field rules the microscopic world of subatomic particles such as electrons, protons, neutrons, photons etc.

Quantum Mechanics is generally seen as intriguing and revolutionary. It challenges our everyday understanding of reality and conventional views, revealing a vastly different picture. For instance, electrons can behave as either particles or waves, depending on how they are being observed or measured. Their behavior is probabilistic, meaning we can only predict the likelihood of their state or position, rather than determining it with certainty. This duality and uncertainty are core principles of Quantum Mechanics.

Quantum Theory challenges our intuitive understanding by introducing the concepts like Superposition and Entanglement. The principle of Superposition shows that subatomic particles do not have definite properties and exist in multiple states simultaneously until they are observed. It is mind boggling to conceive the idea that “observation causes reality”. It does not mean that moon doesn’t exist unless observed but rather that the act of observation determines the specific state from the range of possibilities. The light bulb is shining & not shining at the same time or a cat is both dead and alive (half-dead) at the same time.

This interpretation though a topic of philosophical debate, suggests that all possible outcomes exist simultaneously like the many-worlds interpretation until observations are made to really find that the bulb is only shining (or not). Entanglement, another provocative concept in Quantum Mechanics is that, two particles are connected in such a way that the state of one instantly influences the state of another, regardless of the distance between them. These concepts are indeed baffling, but they stand confirmed by the experiments. To sum up, Quantum Mechanics is counterintuitive and paradoxical but it is one of the most accurate and successful theories in the history of science.

Max Planck, the German physicist, known as the father of Quantum Theory introduced the idea of ‘energy quanta’ in 1900 to explain blackbody radiation that led to the birth of Quantum Mechanics. It paved the way for future scientists like Einstein, Bohr, Heisenberg, Erwin Schrödinger, de Broglie, Pauli, Max Born to further explore and develop the Theory. Einstein was the first to use ‘energy quanta’ to explain the Photoelectric Effect in 1905, confirming the Quantum Theory of light, which led to the development of many essential photoelectric devices. In 1931, C.V. Raman demonstrated the Raman Effect, a phenomenon explained by Quantum Theory which led to a range of practical applications.

Quantum Theory revolutionized technology/science across multiple domains like Photonics, Semiconductors and Spectroscopy that led to breakthroughs such as Lasers, Transistors, Integrated Circuits (ICs), Solar Cells, Batteries, LEDs and Fiber Optics. Increasingly smaller and faster semiconductor circuitry fuelled an information technology boom over the past 5-decades, producing cheaper and more powerful computing devices. We saw the Internet, computers, TVs, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and various other digital devices. In medical diagnostics and imaging, X-ray, USG, MRI, Microscopes, Endoscopy and other cutting-edge technologies like Telemedicine and Robotics, significantly enhanced patient care.

Scientists and engineers are developing new working machines that operate uniquely according to the laws of Quantum Mechanics, opening up entirely new fields. Quantum Computing, Spintronics, Nanotechnology, etc have been extremely exciting and rapidly growing fields of investigation and have started a new technological revolution called Quantum Revolution. Quantum Computing leverages Superposition and Entanglement to process information in fundamentally different ways than digital computers. It has enormous applications for the benefit of mankind. The advancements in quantum information processing and computing are essential for modeling complex systems, environmental monitoring and mitigating climate change. In Nanotechnology, researchers are exploring and controlling the properties of atoms at the microscopic level where quantum properties play a key role. Quantum Theory reveals how the sun generates its light and how solar panels capture this energy on earth. The researchers are developing new materials, energy-efficient technologies to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Thus, Quantum Theory has been profoundly transforming technology and our daily life. This is a prime example of practical impact that an abstract physical theory can have on human life.

To explore future and establish itself as a global leader in Quantum Technologies, India launched the National Quantum Mission (NQM) in April 2023 with the Union Cabinet approved a budget of Rs 6,000 crore for this initiative, which will run from 2023 to 2031. The project led by DST, focuses on key areas such as Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices. The Mission objectives include developing Quantum Computers with 50-1000 qubits, in different stages over the next 8-years with focus on Superconductors, Novel Semiconductor Structures and Photonic Technology. The Mission will establish 4-Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and R&D institutes to drive innovation and research. It will benefit various sectors like communication, health, finance, energy, drug design, space, banking, security while also supporting national initiatives such as Digital India, Make in India, Skill India and other start-up programs towards achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The National Quantum Mission (NQM) indeed aligns with India’s participation in the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). IYQ 2025 aims to engage educational institutions, research bodies and government organizations in raising awareness about Quantum Science and Technology. A key focus is to inspire young people in developing nations and students worldwide to become future leaders in the field and use Quantum Science to make a positive impact on the lives of others. This initiative will be a golden opportunity for students and inquisitive individuals to explore the field which is poised to drive technological innovation, influence government policies, impact the global economy and enrich art and culture in accordance with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. India’s Quantum Mission is set to foster a vibrant and innovative ecosystem while showcasing our achievements and advancements in the field.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Amin Malik (PhD) is a College Principal