In a significant milestone for India’s scientific community, the Science and Technology Minister virtually inaugurated the Centenary Celebrations of the iconic “Bose-Einstein” Statistics postulation at the “S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences”. 

• The minister also shed light on the recently launched National Quantum Mission (NQM). 
• He also highlighted how Bose’s legacy continues to inspire technological innovations and will play a central role in India’s “Second Quantum Revolution,” driving the country’s efforts to become a global leader in quantum research and applications.

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About Bose-Einstein (B–E) Statistics

• B–E statistics describe the distribution of non-interacting, indistinguishable particles across energy states at thermal equilibrium.
• In 1924, Satyendra Nath Bose proposed this approach to particle behavior, later developed with Albert Einstein.
• Particles that follow B–E statistics are known as bosons, named after Bose.
• Bosons have integer spin values (0, 1, 2, etc.) and include particles such as photons, gluons, and W and Z bosons.
• Relevance/Significance of B–E statistics:
  • Lasers and Superconductivity: Central to the operation of lasers (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is the Bose-Einstein statistics.
  • Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC): A unique state of matter formed near absolute zero.
    • BEC is a state of matter formed when particles known as bosons are cooled to temperatures near absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius/0 Kelvin)
    • State of matter:  Four fundamental states of matter are solid, liquid, gas and plasma.  But there are other states, such as Bose-Einstein condensates and time crystals
  • Bose–Einstein statistics are used to describe the behaviour of certain particles in the Standard Model of Particle Physics

The Standard Model of Particle Physics

• The Standard Model explains the fundamental particles and their interactions, excluding gravity.
• It incorporates three fundamental forces: electromagnetism, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force.
• Particles are categorised into:
• • Fermions: Particles making up matter, with half-integer spin (e.g., 1/2, 3/2). Includes:
    • Quarks: Building blocks of protons and neutrons.
    • Leptons: Includes particles like electrons.
  • Bosons: Particles mediating forces between fermions, with integer spin (e.g., photons, W and Z bosons, gluons, Higgs boson).

Higgs Boson

• Peter Higgs first proposed the existence of the Higgs field and the associated Higgs boson in the 1960s.
• Peter Higgs won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013 for his work on the Higgs boson, and he died in 2024
• It is the fundamental particle associated with the Higgs field.
  • It is a field that gives mass to other fundamental particles such as electrons and quarks. 
• Popularly known as the God particle
• It’s a type of Boson (A force-carrying subatomic particle).
• Properties of Higgs Boson:
  • Mass: Mass of 125 GeV/c2 (A unit of mass used for subatomic particles), which is about 130 times the mass of a proton.
  • Spin: It is a scalar particle and has ‘0’ spin that is why it does not possess any angular momentum. It is the only elementary particle with no spin.
  • Lifetime: Very short and it rapidly decays into other particles after it is produced in high-energy collisions. 
  • Detection: It is detected indirectly by observing the particles it decays into.

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About National Quantum Mission

• Implementing Body: The Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology will implement the National Quantum Mission.
• Funding and Duration: Total cost of Rs.6003.65 crore from 2023-24 to 2030-31.
• Objective: The mission aims to seed, nurture, and scale up scientific and industrial R&D, creating a vibrant and innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).
• Global Context: India becomes the seventh country to launch a dedicated quantum mission after the US, Austria, Finland, France, Canada, and China.
• Focus Areas: The mission focuses on developing quantum technologies and applications (QTA) that will drive economic growth, nurture the technological ecosystem, and position India as a global leader in quantum technologies.

Salient Features of NQM

• Quantum Computers Development: The mission’s target is to develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-100 physical qubits in 5 years and 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years.
• Technological Advancements:
  • Magnetometers: Development of high-sensitivity magnetometers for precision timing, communications, and navigation (e.g., atomic clocks).
  • Quantum Materials: Support for the design and synthesis of quantum materials like superconductors, novel semiconductor structures, and topological materials for fabricating quantum devices.
• Quantum Communication:
  • Satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations across 2000 km within India.
  • Long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries.
  • Inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km.
  • Multi-node quantum network with quantum memories.
• Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs): Four T-Hubs will be established in top academic and National R&D institutes focusing on:
  • Quantum Computation
  • Quantum Communication
  • Quantum Sensing & Metrology
  • Quantum Materials & Device

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