Advancing quantum technology by strengthening security

Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology, Indian Economy & Related Issues, Growth & Development

In News

• India must develop its quantum technologies soon, not just to solve the domestic issues but also to guard the nation from foreign security threats.

About Quantum Technology 

• About:
  • It is based on the principles of Quantum mechanics developed in the early 20th century to describe nature at the scale of atoms and elementary particles. 
  • Scientists have expanded quantum theory to understand biological phenomena such as smell, consciousness, enzyme catalysis, photosynthesis, avian navigation like that of the Robin, origin of life and effects on coronavirus. 
• Applications:
  • It is manifested through applications in secure communication, disaster management through better prediction, computing, simulation, chemistry, healthcare, cryptography, imaging, security, among others. 
• Global race for quantum technology:

• The race to harness the power of quantum has become a defining battleground between global superpowers, China and the United States, as quantum technologies offer unprecedented advantages in various sectors.
• For now, the US maintains superiority in quantum technology. 
• But China is gaining momentum, already leading in the development of quantum communications and the total number of quantum technology patents.

• India & quantum technology:
  • India has modest capabilities already. 
  • This includes a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) link covering 100 km between Prayagraj and Vindhyachalm, demonstrated by scientists from DRDO and IIT-Delhi.
  • The Indian Army has set up a Quantum Computing Lab, backed by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) of India.

About National Quantum Mission (NQM) 

• About:
  • It will mainly work towards strengthening India’s research and development in the quantum arena alongside indigenously building quantum-based (physical qubit) computers which are far more powerful to perform the most complex problems in a highly secure manner.
  • DST will lead this national mission, supported by other departments. 
    • Presently, R&D works in quantum technologies are underway in the US, Canada, France, Finland, China, and Austria.
• Focus: 
  • The mission will focus on developing quantum computers (qubit) with physical qubit capacities ranging between 50 – 1000 qubits developed over the next eight years. 
    • Computers up to 50 physical qubits will be developed over three years, 
    • 50 – 100 physical qubits in five years, and 
    • Computers up to 1000 physical qubits in eight years.
  • It will also support the design and synthesis of quantum materials such as superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for the fabrication of quantum devices. 
  • Single-photon sources/detectors, and entangled photon sources will also be developed for quantum communications, sensing, and metrological applications.
• Themes: 
  • Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be set up in top academic and National R&D institutes on the domains – 
    • Quantum Computing, 
    • Quantum Communication, 
    • Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and 
    • Quantum Materials & Devices. 
  • The hubs will focus on the generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them.

Significance

• Global presence: 
  • India will be the sixth country to form a quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France and China.
• Indicative of Nation’s focus:
  • While much of the focus of NQM is centered on scientific research, the very fact that India launched a dedicated national mission to expedite quantum research is in itself an indication of New Delhi’s strategic perspective. 
  • The NQM is expected to have far-reaching benefits for sectors such as communication, healthcare, finance, energy, drug design, and space applications.
• Workforce & infrastructure:
  • For India, investments in quantum materials and devices can generate a cadre of highly skilled workforce. 
  • As India gears to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, a strongly networked material infrastructure in the country will be crucial. 
  • It will cater to not just quantum technologies but also other major scientific megaprojects ranging from the semiconductor mission to neutrino observatory and gravitational wave detection. 
• Boost for other missions:
  • It will provide a huge boost to National priorities like digital India, Make in India, Skill India and Stand-up India, Start-up India, Self-reliant India, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Challenges

• Quantum computing has the potential to break the encryption on which most enterprises, digital infrastructures and economies rely
  • Businesses and governments could be rendered unable to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the transactions and data
• The geopolitics of quantum technology could act as a barrier to unlocking its full value National security concerns over sovereignty, and maintaining control over strategic capability.
• It can be the game-changer of the information race and there is a real risk that competition will interfere with international collaboration and widen asymmetries in security and industrial capability.
• China’s quantum advances expand the spectre of quantum cyberattacks against India’s digital infrastructure, which already faces a barrage of attacks from Chinese state-sponsored hackers. 
• India’s dependence on foreign, particularly Chinese hardware, is an additional vulnerability. 

Suggestions 

• Need of new talent:
  • The National Quantum mission will require a significant component of materials research to be carried out in goal-oriented multi-institutional consortia. 
  • This will demand strategic recruitment of new talent, synergistic multi-institutional collaboration and political will to ease bureaucratic norms and prevent delays in infrastructure building — to ensure that the mission’s deadlines are met.
• Need of R&D ecosystem:
  • India needs to create a well-balanced R&D ecosystem where material research for near-term goals and applications needs to coexist and collaborate with those with more fundamental and futuristic objectives.
• Security:
  • By embracing its potential and fostering collaboration with international partners, India should leverage the NQM’s capacity-building initiatives and strengthen its security posture in the quantum realm.

Way ahead

• Material domains in all aspects of quantum technology — computing, communications, and sensing — are still developing. 
• Hence there is a chance that through timely investment and efficient management, India will emerge a global leader in the field.