The past century has witnessed an extraordinary revolution in our understanding of the fundamental nature of reality through the advent and development of quantum physics. This abstract explores the profound impact of the century of the quantum, encompassing key discoveries, theoretical advancements, and technological breakthroughs that have reshaped our perception of the universe. In 1900, Max Planck initiated the quantum mechanical revolution, which led to the creation of quantum theory and a radical reshaping of our ideas of reality. Quantum mechanics forced us to reconsider the nature of things at the deepest level, challenging our classical understanding. Despite being formulated to describe an abstract atomic world, quantum mechanics has had a far-reaching impact on our daily lives, enabling spectacular advances in chemistry, biology, medicine, and various other scientific fields. It has been the driving force behind the electronics revolution that brought about the computer age and the photonics revolution that ushered in the Information Age. Quantum physics has transformed our world, generating both benefits and risks associated with a scientific revolution.
While the founders of quantum mechanics were initially troubled and distressed by the theory's implications, it has become the most precisely tested and successful theory in the history of science. Even after nearly 100 years since its formulation, quantum mechanics continues to reveal the profound and often bizarre nature of the universe. In 2022, three physicists were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their independent experimental work proving that the weird quantum phenomenon known as quantum entanglement which was dubbed “spooky action at a distance” by Albert Einstein is too real. Quantum entanglement serves as the foundation for the emerging field of quantum information science. This field explores the potential of harnessing entangled states and quantum coherence for information processing, cryptography, and communication, opening up new frontiers in technology and computation. The Nobel Prize recognition underscores the significance of quantum entanglement and its transformative role in shaping the future of information science.
This talk celebrates a century of the quantum, exploring its origins, the immense contributions it has made, the present advancements in the quantum realm, and the intriguing prospects that lie ahead. From the making of quantum mechanics to its transformative impact on technology and its potential future applications, the century of the quantum has truly been a transformative era in science and technology. We will see how the century of the quantum has indeed been a transformative era, unravelling the mysteries of the quantum world and revolutionizing our lives through evidence-based science.