India's ambitious National Quantum Mission (NQM), valued at ₹6,000 crores, encounters a unique obstacle: diamonds. While traditionally recognized for their aesthetic allure, diamonds serve an indispensable role in quantum research due to their unique atomic structure.
Quantum technology, akin to other broad scientific domains like artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, explores the quantum-mechanical properties of matter at an atomic level. Innovations in this field aim to create transformative technologies, including advanced computers, sensors, and encryption systems, poised to make contemporary devices seem archaic.
The journey to harness quantum technology is ongoing, requiring meticulously trained scientists to conduct complex experiments. Among their focal points are diamonds, but not for their famed attributes of cut, clarity, color, and carats. Instead, researchers prize diamonds for their 'defects,' specifically nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, where two carbon atoms are replaced by a nitrogen atom and a 'hole.'
These NV centers are exceptionally sensitive to magnetic field variations, making them invaluable for advanced investigations. Electrons at these centers can function as qubits, the quantum equivalent of classical computer bits, enabling calculations beyond the scope of existing supercomputers.
Furthermore, researchers can manipulate these centers with lasers at room temperature, a capability uncommon in other materials. Unlike their jewelry counterparts, quantum researchers need lab-grown diamonds, purposely designed with these specific 'defects.'
In the 2023 Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced a scheme to foster research and development in lab-grown diamonds in India. While these lab-grown diamonds are indistinguishable from their natural counterparts and more environmentally friendly, India’s capabilities in large-scale production and customization remain nascent. As a result, scientists face challenges in acquiring the defect-specific diamonds essential for their research.
“Diamonds with appropriate defects need to be imported from Europe or the United States. Our institution, being a research entity, is not classified as gemologists under Indian customs laws, hence we cannot import them directly,” shared a quantum researcher from the Indian Institutes of Technology. “Licensed import companies increase costs by up to 30%. Consequently, my quantum sensing research has stalled.”
A recent survey by Itihaasa, a Bengaluru-based consultancy, highlighted these challenges. Senior scientists from prestigious institutions, including IITs, the Indian Institute of Science, and IISER, noted significant delays and bureaucratic hurdles in importing diamonds for research due to a disconnect between India's scientific departments and the Customs Department.
Government officials, including Dr. Ajay Sood and Dr. Abhay Karandikar, have acknowledged the issue, stating that it is under review. The Ministry of Science and Technology envisions developing quantum computers with 50 to 1,000 qubits by the decade's end. However, consistently maintaining electron qubit states in defect-rich diamonds remains a significant challenge.
Looking ahead, enhancing India's proficiency in lab-grown diamonds tailored for quantum research could be a game changer. This progress would not only bolster the National Quantum Mission but also position India as a leader in quantum technology on the global stage.
“We have raised these concerns at institutional levels repeatedly with the Customs Department and the Ministry of Science and Technology for years, but nothing has changed,” emphasized the researcher. The final solution lies in efficient policy reforms and bolstering domestic production capabilities, ensuring India's quantum ambitions are not impeded.
