Quantumania: What India's National Quantum Mission is all about

The research and development of quantum technology in India received a major boost on Wednesday as the Union Cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) at an approximate cost of Rs 6,000 crore. The mission will aim at achieving predetermined milestones from 2023-24 to 2030-31.

But what is the NQM? And what exactly is quantum technology, a phrase that has gained pop-culture notoriety thanks to superhero movies?

Quantum technology

Quantum technology draws on the principles and mechanical implications of quantum theory. In physics, quantum theory deals with the behaviour of matter and energy at their most fundamental level — at the scale of atoms and subatomic particles. Quantum mechanics, therefore, studies the mechanical forces and applications of matter and energy at such a microscopic scale, where the classical laws of physics do not apply.

Quantum technology includes application-based sub-fields such as quantum computing, quantum optics and quantum cryptography. Principles of quantum mechanics are used in a host of daily equipment like semiconductors, lasers, Blu-ray, mobile phones, USB drives and MRIs. The light switch on your bedside also works on these very principles.

Quantum computing

The NQM is not going to manufacture light switches, though. It focuses on quantum computing. While the classical computer is transistor-based, quantum computers are going to work on atoms. Quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, instead of the classical unit of bits, to perform calculations. Such computers, while still far from achieving their true potential, can perform calculations in certain areas much faster than classical ones.

Most importantly, though, quantum computing offers unique security for encryption, making quantum communication practically hack-proof. Quantum communication involves connecting two quantum computing nodes with high levels of code and quantum cryptography that cannot be decrypted or broken by an external entity. In the case of a hacking attempt on quantum communications, the codes change instantly to alert the sender and cause the message to be either altered or deleted.

The National Quantum Mission

Six countries — the US, Finland, Austria, France, China and Canada — are at different stages of building fully functional quantum computers. The US and China have already built prototype quantum computers, with similar claims from the Netherlands and Russia as well.

The National Strategy on quantum technology had its genesis in 2018 when the Union Cabinet approved the launch of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems. In the 2020 Budget, the Centre had allocated Rs 8,000 crore to a National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications for a period of 5 years.

Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said India aims to be at par with the six leading countries in terms of R&D in quantum technology, with a focus on quantum computers. The NQM targets developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1,000 physical qubits over the next eight years.

In the first three years, the mission will try to develop 20-50 qubit quantum computers and quantum communication over 2,000 kilometres. For the first five years, the aim is to develop 50-100 qubit computers.

Structure

As part of the NQM, four thematic hubs will be set up in top national R&D institutes. Each such hub will focus on a separate domain like quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.

The Department of Science and Technology will operate the NQM under a mission director. The Centre will also form a mission secretariat with a governing body helmed by scientists from the quantum field. Also, the Mission Technology Research Council will work as a scientific advisory body for this governing body.

Main goals

In quantum communications, satellite-based secure communication between ground stations over a range of 2,000 km within India and with other countries will be a key aim. The mission will also work on developing magnetometers with high sensitivity. These magnetometers can be used in atomic clocks for precision timing, communications and navigation.

Thirdly, it will help the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors and novel semiconductor structures.

The International Data Corporation (IDC) projects that worldwide customer spending for quantum computing will grow to $8.6 billion by 2027. According to Sharath Srinivasamurthy, associate vice-president at IDC, with the amount and complexity of data increasing at a rapid pace, advancements in quantum computing will help solve complex problems in the areas of healthcare and energy sectors as well as drug design and space applications.

Kartik Ganapathy, founding partner, IndusLaw, said: “The National Quantum Mission is likely to provide assistance both in terms of grants as well as incentives to promote the development of quantum technology and quantum material. Since the science is so cutting edge, it’s difficult to determine what path evolution will take. Therefore, early investment and a consolidated effort are necessary to see what technology and material will be merely evolutionary as opposed to truly revolutionary. The National Quantum Mission is an attempt to set the ball visibly and volubly rolling.”