National Quantum Mission:

Why in news?

Recently Union Cabinet approved The National Quantum Mission at a cost of 6003 Crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31.

What is National Quantum Mission ?

It is a Mission for 2030-31 to seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial research and development and create a vibrant and innovative eco-sysytem in Quantum Technology.

It will be implemented by Department Of Science & Technology (DST) in India. 

India will be 6th Country in World after U.S , Australia, Finland, France & China.

Features Of Quantum Mission:

• Developing intermediate scale Quantum computers with 20-50 physical 'qubits' in 3 years, 50-100 physical 'qubits' in 5 years & 50-1000 physical 'qubits' in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and Photosonic technology.
• Satellite based secure platform communications between ground stations over a range of 2000kms within India.
• Long distance secure communications with other Countries.
• Multi Mode  Quantum network with Quantum memories
• Magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and atomic clocks for precision timing, communications & navigations.
• Support designs and synthesis of quantum materials such as Superconductors, novel semi-conductor structures and topological materials for fabrication of quantum devices.
• Single Photon detectors , entrangled Photon sources will also be developed for Quantum communications, sensing and meteorological applications.

Four Thematic Hubs(T-Hubs) will also be set up in Top academic and National Research and Development Institutes on the domains-

• Quantum Computing
• Quantum Communications
• Quantum Sensing & Metrology 
• Quantum Materials & Devices.

Significance Of National Quantum Mission (NQM):

• This will accelerate Quantum Technology led economic growth & make India one of the leading Nations in the Development Of Quantum Technologies & Applications(QTA) ranging from Communication, Health, Financial & Energy Sectors.
• It will work towards Indigenously building Quantum based Computers which are far more powerful and are able to solve most complex Problems in a highly secure manner. 

What is Quantum Technology ?

It is a technology that works by using The Principles Of Quantum Mechanics ( The Physics Of Sub Atomic Particles) including Quantum entanglement and Quantum superposition.

Merits Of Quantum Technology :

• Complex Problem Solver: It is quite faster and more Powerful Technology which can solve complex problems easily
• High Privacy: It is highly Confidential and secure. It uses the Phenomenon Of Superimposition that makes hacking Impossible.
• Healthcare: Quantum Computers makes possible for medical researchers to run simulations on millions of different factors with high accuracy that makes easy to create Vaccines for Incurrable  diseases.
• Aerospace & Defence : Quantum Computers are used in radar making. They will be able to monitor & functioning of radar devices.
• Artificial Intelligence(AI) : Quantum computers can provide basis for solving some of the most challenging problems in AI.
• Machine Learning(ML) :  Computer Scientists uses this Technology to perform image recogntion, speech Processing & So on.
• Climate Forecast : They might be able to tell what the Weather will be like. 

Demerits Of Quantum Technology :

Highly Expensive: They are very expensive to build & run. 

High Maintenance : They are very expensive to maintain, they have to be monitored constantly because they can break easily. 

High Power Source : The minimum energy requirement for Quantum logical Operations is 5 times that of classical computers. 

Highly Sensitive : They need low temperature and low vibrations to function.

Quantum Technology has enormous potential to change the World but there are still many Challenges that need to overcome in the future.

Source-PIB