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Physics

Your Guide Through the Quantum World

Matteo Rini

Published Feb 5, 2025• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Q uantum science is a hard nut to crack-even for the brightest physicists.But 2025 might offer a pivotal moment for raising public awareness of the field and its technological implications.The United Nations' declaration of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) is sparking a burst of outreach activities, with 100 events (and counting) planned globally.The year was officially kicked off on February 4-5 at an inauguration ceremony held at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) headquarters in Paris (see Research News: Curtain Rises on the Year of Quantum).At the ceremony, UNESCO unveiled its IYQ mascot, Quinnie, created by Jorge Cham, aka, PHD Comics, in collaboration with us at Physics Magazine.The mascot was developed during brainstorming sessions for a series of animated cartoons, which we will release throughout the year [1].Harnessing Cham's Quinnie and her dual sister.Credit: J. Cham Quinnie surfing on a quantum wave function.Credit: J. Cham ability to explain the most complex scientific concepts through cartoons, we hope to communicate to the broadest possible audience what we know and, perhaps more importantly, what we don't know about quantum science.To us, Quinnie represents a young generation approaching quantum science with passion, ingenuity, and energy.We imagine her effortlessly surfing on quantum-mechanical wave functions and playfully engaging with the knottiest quantum ideas, from entanglement to duality.According to a worn-out quote by Richard Feynman: "If you think you understand physics.

DOI
10.1103/physics.18.26

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The United Nations General Assembly has officially designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). This global initiative, supported by UNESCO and co-sponsored by several countries, marks the centenary of quantum sciences, which encompass quantum mechanics, quantum chemistry, and related fields. These disciplines serve as the foundation for fundamental research across the natural sciences. Quantum mechanics provides the theoretical framework for understanding matter and energy at the microscopic scale. While public celebrations of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology often showcase quantum technologies to engage a broader audience, it is crucial to remember that the emergence of quantum theory primarily represented a ground-breaking shift in the basic sciences. This article explores the complex relationship between quantum mechanics and concepts of traditional chemistry, particularly concerning the microscopic world of atoms and molecules. It highlights how quantum mechanics, a holistic and nonlocal theory, features concepts such as entanglement and the indistinguishability of components that challenge classical chemical notions of distinct interatomic interactions and well-defined molecular structures. While quantum mechanics excels at determining the overall stability and dynamics of the system, the article explains that quantum chemistry relies on the classical Born-Oppenheimer approximation to maintain the view of local interactions and identifiable atoms within a molecule. Then, the article discusses the historical development and limitations of transition state theory in explaining chemical reactions, highlighting chemistry’s specific focus on bond breaking and bond making as a fundamental explanatory principle.
Abstract 2025 was proclaimed by the United Nations proclaimed the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). This year-long and worldwide initiative aims at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications. As the world authority on chemical nomenclature and terminology, standardized methods for measurement, atomic weights and many other critically evaluated data, IUPAC is naturally a supporter. Compiled under the leadership of Russell Boyd and Manuel Yáñez acting as co-editors, a special issue of IUPAC journal Pure and Applied Chemistry (PAC) is dedicated to the celebration of IYQ.
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2025 is the year UNESCO selected to celebrate 100 years of this novel science, quantum mechanics, based on Heisenberg’s “uncertainty principle” discovery. However, quantum mechanics began with the discovery of quantum packets of energy emission formulated by the German physicist Max Planck, and it incorporated additional discoveries and principles from Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Heisenberg, Pauli, de Broglie, and many others in the early 1900s. Since then, many advancements and breakthroughs have been made. Such scientific contributions have influenced the culture and technology of humanity from the 20th century onwards, with the first quantum revolutions bringing innovations in technology and engineering, including the omnipresent light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (Laser), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), microprocessor manufacturing and design for computers and nuclear energy. Thus, at the beginning of the Second Quantum Revolution in the 21st century, amid a new wave of novel quantum technologies promising to create the 5th Industrial Revolution and transform humanity, a brief history of these marvellous sciences is condensed, connecting the wonders of the new quantum technogenesis that is being forged, linking its past with classical mechanics and also with novel relativistic mechanics. Understanding these developments highlights the significance of quantum technologies shaping our future and what lies ahead for us. This article explores technologies that are presently under research and development (R&D) in the quantum physics realm, including quantum computing, quantum cryptography, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum simulation. It also discusses emerging careers in the quantum field and the unresolved mysteries that continue to challenge scientists. The discussion follows the ancient griot tradition of storytelling, a method that the distinguished physicist, great professor, and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman encouraged us to use to explain complex scientific ideas.