Quantum science opens up many groundbreaking technological applications

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum theory and the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025, on March 22, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Physics Association in collaboration with the Institute of Physics and the Center for Data and Scientific Information (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) organized a series of public lectures on quantum science and technology.

The year 2025 marks 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics - the theory that describes the behavior of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales and has given rise to many of the world's most important technologies.

According to experts, over the past century, quantum theory has become the foundation for physics, chemistry, engineering and biology and has revolutionized modern electronics and global telecommunications.

Opening the lecture series, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Ai Viet, Hanoi National University presented the lecture "How were the new concepts that formed the foundation for the birth of Quantum Mechanics formed?".

In this lecture, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Ai Viet shared that at the end of the 19th century, the development of Physics and Chemistry required the recognition of the concept of atoms as the basic components of matter, an idea that had been born more than 2000 years earlier in ancient Greece. Quantum mechanics was born as the foundation of a new theory for atomic structure...

The presentation focused on analyzing the process of forming some new concepts in Quantum Mechanics with two tools of creative thinking: Imagination and abstract thinking. “Today, the experience of changing concepts will be very useful when we are standing at the threshold of a new world with new rules,” Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Ai Viet said.

On the other hand, Dr. Vo Van Thuan, Duy Tan University, presented the lecture “The Puzzle of Quantum Reality: Can a Particle Go Through Two Slits at the Same Time?”. This lecture raised the question: Can we decode the difficult puzzles of Quantum Mechanics? For example, can a particle go through two slits at the same time? Are microparticles objective entities or are they still considered as obscure probability clouds that are difficult to recognize?

The presentation updated some current information about the single-particle double-slit experiment and discussed new insights compared to the Copenhagen interpretation of the microscopic world after exactly 100 years of the discovery of quantum theory.

At the event, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hong Quang, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Physics Association, said that quantum theory is a major breakthrough in science, allowing us to better understand the fundamental nature of matter and energy. More than just a theory, quantum physics has opened up many breakthrough technological applications in the modern world, from quantum computers to medicine and communications.

The advent of quantum physics has completely changed the technological landscape, creating the third industrial revolution based on electronics, automatic control and communication. However, quantum theory still contains new philosophical concepts that are still being debated regarding the perception of reality, the role of psychology and consciousness that lasts to this day.

Today's lecture series helped listeners gain a deeper understanding of quantum mechanics, new ideas about related materials, and the possibility of discovering new materials, thereby encouraging students and the public to engage in scientific research.

Experts also believe that in the future, advances in quantum applications could spur innovation in materials science, medicine, and cybersecurity, among other areas. In this way, quantum science and technology will contribute to solving pressing global challenges, including accelerating the development of renewable energy, improving human health, and creating global solutions that support the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.

At the event, speakers and scientists further analyzed the role of quantum computer experimental science, as well as the future of research on quantum applications in Vietnam. From there, it was proposed that in the coming time, Vietnam needs to research on quantum and its applications with multidisciplinary links, including Mathematics and Physics.