Quantum supremacy
Context : Researchers at Google say they have achieved ‘quantum supremacy’, in which a computer harnessing the properties of sub-atomic particles did a far better job of solving a problem than the world’s most powerful supercomputer.
What is ‘quantum supremacy’?
Quantum supremacy is a holy grail for researchers in the field: It’s when the superior potential of quantum computing is finally achieved in practice — effectively superseding existing forms of computing.
What’s different about quantum computing?
Conventional computers use ‘bits’ — or ones and zeroes — as the basis of their calculations. In simple terms these represent ‘yes’ and ‘no’, or ‘on’ and ‘off’. In combination, bits can be used to handle logical tasks. Quantum computing makes use of a property of sub-atomic particles in which they can simultaneously exist in different states. A quantum bit, or qubit, can thus be both one and zero at the same time. In the jargon, this is called superposition.
What makes quantum computers so powerful?
Another property of sub-atomic particles is for them to become ‘entangled’ — meaning that they can influence each other’s behaviour in an observable way. Combining entanglement with superposition leads to exponential increases in computing power with each additional qubit. The Sycamore processor designed by Google, a unit of Silicon Valley technology giant Alphabet, had 54 qubits arranged in a two-dimensional grid. In the experiment only 53 could be made to work – still enough to produce a successful result.
Why did it take so long to get here?
Physicists have been talking about quantum computing for over 30 years, but the challenges of making them work are daunting. The qubits need to be cooled to just above absolute zero to reduce ‘noise’ – or vibration – that introduces errors into the calculations made by a quantum computer. Google’s researchers, in solving the problem with a high degree of fidelity — or accuracy — can reasonably claim to have achieved a significant milestone, say physicists.
So what’s next?
Researchers from the Google AI research team see potential uses for quantum computing in fields such as machine learning, and materials science and chemistry. They admit, though, that still-greater accuracy will be needed to bring those use cases into the real world. Cryptographers are, meanwhile, already preparing for the day when quantum computers might be used to crack the codes used, for example, to secure online access to bank accounts. So, even before quantum computing becomes widely used, ‘post-quantum cryptography’ is already here.
First National Protocol to Enumerate Snow Leopard Population in India
Context : First National Protocol on Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India, has been launched on the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day.
Aim : To increase the population of snow leopard in coming years.
Highlights :
- The 4th Steering Committee meeting of the GSLEP is being attended by Ministers from Nepal, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia along with senior officials from nine of the Snow Leopard countries .
- development efforts to be made in the Snow Leopard habitats and take into consideration green economic development, innovative conservation financing and population assessment of global Snow Leopards.
- efforts in combating poaching and illegal wildlife trade of Snow Leopards.
Successfully tested brahmos missile from mobile platform
Context : The Indian Air Force (IAF) has test-fired BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles successfully from a mobile platform at Trak Island in the Andaman Nicobar islands .
Test trial :
The weight of the surface-to-surface missile is 2.5-tonne. The range of the is around 300 km. IAF tested the missile to hit targets with pin-point accuracy at targets fixed at a distance of 300 km. Surface-to-surface missiles were fired at Trak Island in the Andaman Nicobar islands. During the test trials, IAF achieved a direct hit on the target.
BrahMos surface-to-surface missiles :
In June 2001, the first BrahMos surface-to-surface variant was test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, in a vertical launch configuration. In June 2004, IAF conducted in the same test range from a mobile launcher.
In March 2009, it successfully tested another BrahMos surface-to-surface missile. The target hit a building among a cluster of buildings in an urban setup. India is the only country to introduce this advanced technology.
In September 2010, BrahMos created a new world record by becoming the first cruise missile to be tested at supersonic speeds in a steep-dive mode.
Mission Indradhanush
Context : To ensure that not a single child in the country misses out on vaccination, the government will launch the ‘Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0‘ on October 31 with a special focus on improving coverage in areas with “low” immunisation.
Key facts:
- Through ‘IMI 2.0’, the health ministry aims to reach each and every child below the age of two years and all pregnant women still uncovered/partially covered in 271 districts of the country and 652 blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
- IMI 2.0 will include four rounds of vaccination, with each round involving a seven-day immunisation drive to be conducted each month.
- The IMI programme is supported by 12 ministries and departments and is being monitored by the cabinet secretary at the national level.
Mission Indradhanush:
To strengthen and re-energize the programme and achieve full immunization coverage for all children and pregnant women at a rapid pace, the Government of India launched “Mission Indradhanush” in December 2014.
Goal of Mission Indradhanush: The ultimate goal of Mission Indradhanush is to ensure full immunization with all available vaccines for children up to two years of age and pregnant women.
Rise in stubble burning cases in Punjab
In News
- Over 3,300 cases reported till October 21 as against 2,564 incidents in corresponding period last year
- Stubble burning, close to the autumn season every year, has been a key contributing factor of pollution in the air and breathing problems among people across the northern region, including New Delhi
- The reason behind the higher number of fire cases has been the decision to advance the date of paddy sowing this season, a week earlier than the scheduled date of June 20 due to early arrival of monsoon this year.
- Consequently, harvesting of the crop has also started early this time. And because of this, the number of farm fires this year, as against the corresponding period last year, is higher.
- For management of paddy straw without burning, the Centre and the State government are providing subsidised agro-machines and equipment to farmers and cooperative societies. Yet farmers continue to burn crop residue claiming lack of alternatives.
- The ban and action against people burning crop residue is regulated under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- In 2016, Punjab witnessed 84,000 incidents of stubble fire while in 2017, a dip was seen with the number of cases at 46,000. In 2018, the fire incidents were close to 50,000, according to the government data.