What is Quantum Technology and why it is in news?
Why is it in news?
The government in the Budget 2020 has announced a National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NM-QTA) with a total budget outlay of Rs 8000 Crore for a period of five years to be implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
What is Quantum Technology?
· Quantum technology is a class of technology that works by using the principles of quantum mechanics (the physics of sub-atomic particles), including quantum entanglement and quantum superposition.
What is Quantum Mechanics?
· Quantum Mechanics:
i. It is a fundamental theory in physics which describes nature at the smallest — including atomic and subatomic — scales.
ii. At the scale of atoms and electrons, many of the equations of classical mechanics, which describe how things move at everyday sizes and speeds, cease to be useful.
iii. In classical mechanics, objects exist in a specific place at a specific time.
iv. However, in quantum mechanics, objects instead exist in a haze of probability; they have a certain chance of being at point A, another chance of being at point B and so on.
· What is quantum entanglement?
i. Quantum entanglement is when two atoms are connected, or entangled, despite being separated.
ii. If you change the properties of one of them, the other changes instantly.
· What is quantum superposition?
i. Quantum superposition is the theory that sub-atomic particles exist in multiple states simultaneously.
ii. It proposed that particles at sub atomic level possess properties which does not obey the conventional principles of classsical physics.
National Mission on Quantum Technology and Applications
1. Objective: The new mission will oversee the development of quantum technologies for communications, computing, materials development and cryptography.
2. It will coordinate the work of scientists, industry leaders and government departments
3. Implementing authority: The move will be implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
4. Focus area: The areas of focus for the Mission will be in fundamental science, translation, technology development, human and infrastructural resource generation, innovation and start-ups to address issues concerning national priorities.
Advantages
· Secure Communication:
i. Quatum entanglement can be used in enhancing the security of communication through quantum protected cipher keys.
ii. We can use entangled atoms to detect whether someone has interfered with the transmission of data
· Nanomaterials: Quantum technology can be used a tool to develop nanomaterials having exceptional properties at the atomic and sub-atomic level.
· Disaster Management: Mathematical Models developed using Quantum Computing can almost perfectly give a clear picture of upcoming natural calamities.
· Pharmaceutical: Quantum technology can greatly help in synthesis of new drug molecule which currently takes almost a decade for manual synthesis by scientists in conventional labs.
· Quantum computers:
i. The practical application of Quantum superposition is most obvious in quantum computers.
ii. While digital computers store data as bits (the ones and zeros of binary), quantum computers use qubits that exist as a one, zero or both at the same time.
iii. This superposition state creates a practically infinite range of possibilities, allowing for incredibly fast simultaneous and parallel calculations.
Challenges
· Lack of Infrastructure: India lacks the presence of dedicated labs to conduct experiments in quantum mechanics.
· Lack of manpower: There is acute shortage of highly skilled professionals in India to conduct experiments related to Quantum technology since the experiments are complex.
· Modern warfare:
i. Quantum technology will bring new challenges in terms of warfare and conflict strategies.
ii. In that case, India’s current security plans may have to be reworked to develop integrated war-theatre strategies taking into account the issued arising due to use of quantum technologies.
· Security concerns: The current security infrastructure of IT and other secure communication network may not be able to handle the security risks associated with the application of quantum technology.
Way forward
· Industry-Academia collaboration: Both India Inc. as well as research institute needs to collaborate to foster research as well as development of critical infrastructure.
· Private funding in R&D: Private firms and philanthropic funding will be favourable give impetus the quantum technology as government resources might not be sufficient to carry out research projects.
· Global co-operation: India should move ahead and partner with countries conducting complex projects to build a build a strong scientific community of like-minded countries.
· Strong regulatory framework: A strong regulatory framework needs to be established before the technology comes into to check the probable misuse of quantum technology by elements as organizations having interest against the security and integrity of the country.
Sources: Business Insider, Science Direct, Live Mint, The Hindu