{"id":63083,"date":"2025-12-31T19:55:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T14:25:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=63083"},"modified":"2025-12-31T20:02:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T14:32:25","slug":"quantum-mechanics-100-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-12-2025\/quantum-mechanics-100-years","title":{"rendered":"100 Years of Quantum Mechanics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2025<\/strong> has been declared the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology by UNESCO, marking 100 years since the formal development of quantum mechanics in 1925.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The milestone commemorates the <strong>Helgoland breakthrough<\/strong> by <strong>Werner Heisenberg,<\/strong> which laid the foundations of modern quantum theory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Quantum Mechanics?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that explains the <strong>behaviour of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It departs from classical Newtonian physics and is based on principles such as <strong>quantisation of energy, wave\u2013particle duality, uncertainty, and superposition.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It explains how extremely small objects simultaneously have the <strong>characteristics of both particles<\/strong> (tiny pieces of matter) and <strong>waves<\/strong> (a disturbance or variation that transfers energy).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Domains of quantum technologies:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quantum communication:<\/strong> It applies the properties of quantum physics to provide better security and improved long-distance communications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quantum simulation:<\/strong> It refers to the use of a quantum system to simulate the behavior of another quantum system.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quantum computation: <\/strong>It is a field of computing that utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to perform certain types of calculations more efficiently than classical computers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quantum sensing and metrology:<\/strong> It leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to achieve highly precise measurements.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Evolution of Quantum Theory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1900: Max Planck <\/strong>proposed that <strong>energy is emitted in discrete packets <\/strong>called <strong>quanta<\/strong> while explaining black-body radiation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1905: Albert Einstein<\/strong> used the quantum idea to explain the photoelectric effect, establishing light as consisting of photons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1913: Niels Bohr<\/strong> applied quantum ideas to explain the structure of the hydrogen atom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1925: Werner Heisenberg<\/strong>, during his stay at Helgoland, formulated matrix mechanics, the <strong>first complete framework of quantum mechanics.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1925\u201326: Max Born and Pascual Jordan <\/strong>provided the <strong>mathematical foundation<\/strong> using matrix algebra.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1926:<\/strong> <strong>Erwin Schr\u00f6dinger <\/strong>developed the wave equation, offering an alternative but equivalent formulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1927: Paul Dirac <\/strong>unified quantum mechanics and relativity principles, describing it as a complete theory of dynamics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Indian Contributions to Quantum Theory<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Satyendra Nath Bose:<\/strong> His work led to the prediction of <strong>Bose\u2013Einstein Condensate<\/strong>, experimentally confirmed decades later.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>C V Raman: <\/strong>His discovery of the <strong>Raman Effect (1928)<\/strong> provided direct experimental proof of quantum interactions between light and matter, earning India its first Nobel Prize in science (1930).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Application of Quantum Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Electronics and Computing:<\/strong> Enabled semiconductors, transistors, integrated circuits, and modern computers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Communication and Navigation:<\/strong> Basis of lasers, optical fibre communication, atomic clocks, and GPS systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Healthcare and Medicine:<\/strong> Applications in MRI scanners, nuclear imaging, radiation therapy, and advanced diagnostics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Energy and Materials:<\/strong> Supports nuclear power generation and development of advanced materials and sensors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emerging Technologies:<\/strong> Foundation for quantum computing, quantum communication, precision sensing, and ultra-secure data transmission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Quantum Mission (NQM)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government approved the NQM in <strong>2023<\/strong> from <strong>2023-24 to 2030-31.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> To seed, nurture and scale up <strong>scientific and industrial R&amp;D<\/strong> and create a vibrant &amp; innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Mission objectives include developing intermediate-scale <strong>quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years<\/strong> in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Implementation:<\/strong> Setting up of<strong> four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs)<\/strong> in top academic and National R&amp;D institutes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ebeae8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"662\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-169.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-63084\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ebeae8; width:476px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-169.png 662w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/12\/image-169-300x158.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 662px) 100vw, 662px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges of Quantum Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Decoherence:<\/strong> Quantum states are highly sensitive to environmental interactions, leading to loss of coherence and system instability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Quantum Measurement and Control: <\/strong>Precise measurement and manipulation at the quantum level are difficult due to noise, disturbances, and the fragile nature of quantum states.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Scalability and Error Correction:<\/strong> Expanding quantum systems for practical use requires complex error-correction mechanisms and large numbers of qubits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cost and Accessibility:<\/strong> Quantum technologies are expensive and resource-intensive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strengthening Research: <\/strong>Ensure sustained public funding for fundamental research in quantum physics to bridge gaps between theory and application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Capacity Building:<\/strong> Develop skilled human resources through specialised courses, interdisciplinary programmes, and global research collaboration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public\u2013Private Partnerships:<\/strong> Encourage start-ups and industry participation for scaling prototypes into commercially viable products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/semiconductors-gps-c-v-raman-satyendra-nath-bose-einstein-10440280\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Context<\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">2025 has been declared the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology by UNESCO, marking 100 years since the formal development of quantum mechanics in 1925.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">The milestone commemorates the Helgoland breakthrough by Werner Heisenberg, which laid the foundations of modern quantum theory.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> What is Quantum Mechanics? <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that explains the behaviour of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It departs from classical Newtonian physics and is based on principles such as quantisation of energy, wave\u2013particle duality, uncertainty, and superposition. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It explains how extremely small objects simultaneously have the characteristics of both particles (tiny pieces of matter) and waves (a disturbance or variation that transfers energy). <\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/31-12-2025\/quantum-mechanics-100-years\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-63083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63083"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63089,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63083\/revisions\/63089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}