• Attosecond science is the study of superfast processes using extremely short light pulses.
• These pulses are so short that they can be used to capture the motion of electrons in atoms and molecules.
• To understand how attosecond science works, it is helpful to compare it to photography.
• A digital camera captures images by recording the light that is reflected off of objects. To capture a clear image, the camera needs to have a short shutter speed.
• This is because if the shutter speed is too long, the image will be blurred due to the movement of the object being photographed.
• Imagine a hummingbird's wings beating. To capture a single beat with a digital camera, you would need a shutter speed of 1/80th of a second.
• This is because the human eye can see up to 60 frames per second, but it cannot see a single wingbeat as it happens.
• The same principle applies to attosecond science. To capture the motion of electrons, attosecond scientists need to use light pulses with a very short duration.
• These pulses are so short that they can capture the motion of electrons in real time.
• Attosecond science has a wide range of potential applications. For example, it can be used to develop new types of lasers and other light sources, as well as new types of detectors and materials.
• Attosecond science can also be used to study the dynamics of electrons in atoms and molecules, which could lead to new insights into the fundamental nature of matter.

• The fascinating world of attosecond pulse generation finds its roots in wave mechanics.
• In the year 1988, Anne L’Huillier, along with her colleagues in Paris, embarked on a pioneering journey. Their experiment involved passing an infrared light beam through a noble gas, which led to an astonishing discovery.
• As the light beam interacted with the noble gas, an extraordinary phenomenon unfolded.
• The gas emitted light waves whose frequencies were not mere replicas of the incident beam's frequency. 
• Instead, they were high multiples of it. For instance, if the frequency of the initial beam measured 10 arbitrary units, the emitted light showcased frequencies of 50 units, 60 units, 70 units, and so forth.
• This remarkable occurrence is known as a high-harmonic generation, and the resulting waves are termed overtones of the original.
• Further exploration by the research team revealed an intriguing pattern. As they gradually increased the frequency of the initial beam, the intensity of the emitted light exhibited distinct behaviour.
• Initially, it dropped sharply, then reached a plateau where it remained relatively constant for a certain range of frequencies, before declining once more.
• By the year 1994, researchers had unravelled the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects.
• It was revealed that a beam of light is characterized by oscillating electric and magnetic fields.
• The term 'oscillating' denotes that these fields undergo continuous cycles of strengthening and weakening at a particular point.
• This oscillation of electric and magnetic fields played a pivotal role in the interaction with electrons.
• At points along this oscillatory path, electrons experienced alternating influxes and withdrawals of energy.
• When energy was imparted, electrons momentarily broke free from their atomic bonds.
• Subsequently, as energy was taken away, these liberated electrons recombined with their parent atoms, releasing surplus energy in the form of emitted light.
• To complete the puzzle, researchers turned to the intricate equations of quantum mechanics.
• These equations not only offered a coherent framework to describe the entire journey of electrons but also provided profound insights into the behaviour of the emitted light.
• They elucidated why the intensity of the re-emitted light plateaued as the frequency of the incident beam was increased.

• To produce an attosecond pulse, a high-intensity infrared laser beam is focused on a noble gas.
• This ionizes the gas atoms, creating free electrons. The free electrons are then accelerated by the laser field.
• When the accelerated electrons collide with the parent ions, they emit photons of high energy.
• The frequency of these photons is a multiple of the frequency of the laser pulse, and the pulse duration is typically a few attoseconds.
• The intensity of the emitted photons plateaus as the laser frequency is increased. This is because the electrons are unable to keep up with the rapidly oscillating laser field.
• To fine-tune the setup to produce light pulses for a few hundred attoseconds, physicists combine a large number of overtones.
• Overtones are multiples of the laser frequency. When the peak of one overtone merges with the peak of another, it undergoes constructive interference and produce a larger peak.
• When the peak of one overtone merges with the trough of another, they undergo destructive interference and cancel each other out. These pulses are produced only when the beam's frequency is within the plateau range.

Attophysics is a rapidly developing field with a wide range of potential applications. Some of the potential applications of attophysics include:

• Attosecond pulses can be used to study the motion of electrons in atoms and molecules in real-time. This could lead to new insights into the fundamental nature of matter and could also be used to develop new materials with unique properties.
• In 2010, Krausz's team used attosecond pulses to study the photoelectric effect in neon atoms. They found that electrons leaving two slightly different energy levels in a neon atom do not do so simultaneously, as was once thought. Instead, there is a 21-attosecond delay. This finding could lead to a better understanding of the photoelectric effect and could also have implications for the development of new solar cells.
• Attosecond pulses can be used to develop new types of lasers and other light sources. These light sources could have a wide range of applications in medicine, materials science, and other fields.
•  Attosecond pulses can be used to develop new types of detectors. These detectors could be used to study a wide range of ultrafast phenomena, such as the dynamics of chemical reactions.
• Attosecond pulses can be used to develop new materials with unique properties. For example, attosecond pulses could be used to create materials that are more efficient at conducting electricity or that are stronger and lighter than existing materials.

8. Conclusion

ASIATIC WILD DOGS

• The Asiatic wild dog, scientifically known as Cuon alpinus, is a carnivorous mammal that belongs to the Canidae family, which includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. It is also commonly known by various names such as the dhole, Indian wild dog, or red dog
•  Dholes are medium-sized canids with a distinctive appearance. They have a slender, elongated body, short legs, and a bushy tail.
• Their fur is typically reddish-brown with white markings on the chest and paws. They have a rounded face with short, rounded ears.
• Asiatic wild dogs are found in various parts of Asia, including India, Southeast Asia, and parts of China. They inhabit a range of habitats, from dense forests to grasslands and scrublands.
• Asiatic wild dogs are listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• Their populations have been declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and conflicts with humans. They are also susceptible to diseases transmitted by domestic dogs.
• The coexistence between Asiatic wild dogs (dholes) and tigers in the wild is an interesting aspect of the ecological dynamics in some regions of Asia where these two carnivores overlap in their habitats. 
• In some regions, tigers and dholes may exhibit habitat segregation, with tigers preferring certain areas while dholes occupy others. This can help reduce direct competition for resources.
• Dholes in Manas National Park inhabit a variety of habitats within the park, including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands. Manas is known for its diverse ecosystems, and dholes are adapted to live in these different environments

• Manas National Park is known for its incredible biodiversity. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including several endangered and threatened species.
• Some of the notable species found here include Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, Indian rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, clouded leopards, golden langurs, and Assam-roofed turtles
•  Manas is also recognized for its avian diversity. It is a birdwatcher's paradise with over 450 species of birds, including several rare and endemic ones. It's an essential area for bird conservation and is a part of the Important Bird Area (IBA) network
• The Manas River, which flows through the park, is a lifeline for both the wildlife and local communities. Several other rivers and water bodies, including the Beki River, intersect the park

DIGITAL INDIA ACT 2023

 

 

1. Context:

Nations worldwide are grappling with the need to update their legal frameworks to adapt to the evolving digital landscape. India, with its ambitious ‘Digital India’ initiative, is no exception. The recent announcement of the Digital India Act 2023 (DIA) represents a significant step towards establishing a future-ready legal framework for the country’s burgeoning digital ecosystem

 

2. Need of Digital India Act 2023

The need for the Digital India Act 2023 arises from the rapid growth and transformation of the digital landscape in India. The country has over 860 million internet users, and the digital economy is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2025. However, this growth has also brought with it several challenges, such as cybercrime, data protection, and online misinformation

The Digital India Act 2023 seeks to address these challenges by creating a comprehensive regulatory framework for the digital sector.

 The following are the needs that the Digital India Act 2023 seeks to address:

• The primary motivation behind the DIA is to bring India’s regulatory landscape in sync
  with the digital revolution of the 21st century
• The Act is necessary to protect the personal data of Indian citizens from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.
• It is also necessary to ensure that Indian citizens have control over their personal data and can make informed choices about how it is used.
• The Act is necessary to protect Indian citizens from online misinformation, hate speech, and cyberbullying. It is also necessary to protect children from online harm.
•  The Act is necessary to promote competition and prevent the concentration of market power in the digital sector. 
• This is essential to ensure that Indian consumers have access to a wide range of innovative digital products and services at affordable prices.
• The Act is necessary to strengthen the cybersecurity framework in India and protect the country from cyberattacks. This is essential to protect the national security and economic interests of India

3.Esisting Laws

• The DIA, poised to replace the two-decade-old Information Technology Act of 2000 (IT
  Act), is designed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the dramatic
  growth of the internet and emerging technologies.
• It is imperative to understand the key aspects of this legislation and why it is essential in the contemporary context
• The IT Act of 2000, crafted during a time when the internet was in its infancy, has struggled to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology and user behaviour
• Since its inception, India’s internet user base has exploded from a mere 5.5 million to a staggering 850 million
• The nature of internet usage has also evolved, with the emergence of various intermediaries and the proliferation of new forms of user harm, such as cyberstalking, trolling, and doxing

4.Key Provisions

• The DIA encompasses several pivotal clauses that mirror the dynamic evolution of the digital environment, addressing its multifaceted challenges and opportunities
• These provisions underscore the legislation’s responsiveness to the ever-changing digital
  landscape
• The proposed DIA encompasses a spectrum of significant provisions aimed at addressing the ever-evolving digital landscape
• It places a strong emphasis on online safety and trust, with a commitment to safeguarding citizen’s rights in the digital realm while remaining adaptable to shifting market dynamics and international legal principles
• Recognising the growing importance of new-age technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, the DIA provides guidelines for their responsible utilisation
• Through this, it aims to not only encourage the adoption of these technologies but also to ensure that their deployment is in line with ethical and legal principles
• This means that the DIA does not just leave it to the market to dictate the course of these technologies but actively engages in shaping their development and use within a regulatory framework
•  DIA strikes a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding against potential harms. It promotes ethical AI practices, data privacy in blockchain applications, and mechanisms for accountability in the use of these technologies
• This is not only beneficial for citizens and businesses but also positions India as a responsible player in the global technology landscape, ready to harness the full potential of new-age technologies while mitigating associated risks.
• It upholds the concept of an open internet, striking a balance between accessibility and necessary regulations to maintain order and protect users.
• Additionally, the DIA mandates stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for wearable devices
• It contemplates a review of the “safe harbour” principle, which presently shields online platforms from liability related to user-generated content, indicating a potential shift in online accountability standards accompanied by criminal law sanctions

5. Challenges

• One key concern is the potential impact on innovation and the ease of doing business.
  Stricter regulations, particularly in emerging technologies, could inadvertently stifle entrepreneurial initiatives and deter foreign investments. 
• Additionally, the review of the “safe harbour” principle, which shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, could lead to a more cautious approach among these platforms, possibly impinging on freedom of expression
• DIA’s success hinges on effective enforcement, which will require substantial resources, expertise, and infrastructure
• Balancing the interests of various stakeholders, including tech giants, while ensuring the
  protection of citizen rights, poses a significant challenge
• The DIA is a crucial step towards ensuring a secure, accountable, and innovative digital
  future for India.
• It represents a forward-looking approach to regulation in an age of constant change and has the potential to shape the country’s digital landscape for generations to come

6. What Data Protection Laws are there in other Nations?

Data protection laws vary from country to country, and many nations have enacted their own legislation to regulate the collection, processing, and storage of personal data. Here are some notable data protection laws and regulations from different countries and regions 

• European Union (EU) - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): GDPR is one of the most comprehensive and influential data protection regulations in the world. It provides a framework for the protection of personal data of EU citizens and imposes strict requirements on organizations that process this data, including consent, data breach notification, and the right to be forgotten
• United States - Various State and Sectoral Laws: The United States does not have a comprehensive federal data protection law, but it has various state-level data protection laws (e.g., California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA) and sector-specific regulations (e.g., Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - HIPAA for healthcare data, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act - GLBA for financial data)
• Canada - Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA): PIPEDA governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by private sector organizations in Canada. It provides individuals with certain rights over their personal data
• United Kingdom - Data Protection Act 2018: The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK's implementation of GDPR. It regulates data protection in the UK post-Brexit.
• Australia - Privacy Act 1988: The Privacy Act governs the handling of personal information by Australian government agencies and private sector organizations. The 2021 amendments brought it closer to GDPR standards

 

7. Way forward

The DIA is a crucial step towards ensuring a secure, accountable, and innovative digital
future for India. It represents a forward-looking approach to regulation in an age of
constant change and has the potential to shape the country’s digital landscape for
generations to come. As consultations continue, it will be interesting to see how this
proposed legislation evolves and plays out in the dynamic digital arena.

 

Source: The Hindu

 

 

QUANTUM DOTS

1. Context 

Alexei I. Ekimov, Louis E. Brus, and Moungi G. Bawendi have been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize for chemistry “for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots”.

2. About Quantum dots

• A quantum dot is a very small assembly of atoms, just a few nanometers wide.
• The electrons in these atoms have very little space to move around, so the crystal as a whole displays the quirky effects of quantum mechanics.
• Quantum dots have also been called "artificial atoms" because the dot as a whole behaves like an atom in some circumstances.

3. Significance of the Quantum dots

• Quantum dots behave in ways that neither atoms nor bulk materials do. One particular behaviour distinguishes them: the properties of a quantum dot change based on how big it is.
• Just by tweaking its size, scientists can change, say, the quantum dot's melting point or how readily it participates in a chemical reaction.
• When light is shined on a quantum dot, it absorbs and then re-emits it at a different frequency.
• Smaller dots emit bluer light and larger dots, redder light. This happens because light shone on the dot energises some electrons to jump from one energy level to a higher one, before jumping back down and releasing the energy at a different frequency.

4. The Nobel Laureates' Contributions

The 2023 Nobel Prize laureates for chemistry made groundbreaking contributions to the field of quantum dots:

4.1. Ekimov's Discovery in Glass (Early 1980s)

• Alexei Ekimov and his colleagues pioneered the creation of quantum dots.
• In the early 1980s, they introduced varying amounts of copper chloride into glass and subjected it to different heating conditions.
• Remarkably, they observed changes in the glass's colour, a clear indication of the presence of copper chloride nanocrystals of different sizes of quantum dots.

4.2. Brus's Quantum Dots in Liquid (1983)

• Louis Brus's group in the United States achieved a significant milestone by successfully creating quantum dots in a liquid medium in 1983, breaking free from the confinement of glass.
• Both Ekimov and Brus went on to study quantum dots extensively, developing mathematical descriptions of their behaviour and structure.

4.3. Bawendi's Hot-Injection Method (1993)

• Moungi Bawendi's team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology revolutionized quantum dot synthesis in 1993 with the hot injection method.
• This technique involved injecting a reagent into a carefully chosen solvent with a high boiling point until saturation, followed by heating to facilitate nanocrystal formation in the solution.
• By controlling the heating duration, they could produce quantum dots of different sizes, each with smooth surfaces.
• This method greatly accelerated the adoption of quantum dots across various technologies.

5. Applications of quantum dots

Quantum dots have a wide range of potential applications, including:

• Quantum dots can be used to create brighter, more energy-efficient displays with wider viewing angles than traditional displays.
• Quantum dots can be used to create solar cells that are more efficient and less expensive than traditional solar cells.
• Quantum dots can be used to label cells and tissues for imaging, which can help doctors diagnose diseases and monitor the effectiveness of treatments.
• Quantum dots can be used to deliver drugs to specific cells in the body, which can reduce side effects and improve the efficacy of treatments.
• Quantum dots are a potential candidate for use in quantum computers, which could revolutionize many fields, including medicine, materials science, and finance.

Image Source: Science

6. Conclusion

Quantum dots represent a remarkable realm of nanoscale materials with profound implications for science and technology, as recognized by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2023. Their versatility and size-dependent properties continue to drive innovations across diverse research and application fields.

 

For Prelims: Quantum dots, Nobel Prize, Alexei I. Ekimov, Louis E. Brus, Moungi G. Bawendi, Bawendi's Hot-Injection Method, artificial atoms,  For Mains:  1. What are quantum dots and why are they significant? Discuss the potential applications of quantum dots in various fields. (250 Words)

 

 

Previous Year Questions   Prelims   1. Einstein got the Nobel Prize for (BPSC 64TH CCE 2018)  A. relativity      B.  Bose-Einstein condensation C. mass-energy equivalence D. photoelectric effect E. None of the above/More than one of the above   Answer: D 2. Who among the following scientists shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with his son? (UPSC CSE 2008) (a) Max Planck (b) Albert Einstein (c) William Henry Bragg (d) Enrico Fermi Answer: C 3. Nobel Prize winning scientist James D. Watson is known for his work in which area? (UPSC CSE 2008) (a) Metallurgy (b) Meteorology (c) Environmental protection  (d) Genetics Answer: D 4. Nobel Prize for Economics was instituted in the year _______ (Punjab Patwari 2016) A. 1984        B. 1962           C. 1948          D. 1968 Answer: D 5. The main constituent of dynamite is- (NPCIL SA/ST ME GJ 2019) A. Sodium nitrate       B. Nitroglycerine        C. Sulphur        D. Potassium chloride Answer: B 6. Which one of the following is the context in which the term "qubit" is mentioned? (UPSC 2022) A. Cloud Services B. Quantum Computing C. Visible Light Communication Technologies D. Wireless Communication Technologies Answer: B 7. Quantum computing uses  (ACC 124 CGAT  2021) A. Qubit B. Bits C. Bytes D. Qubytes   Answer: A   8. A quantum dot is - (RPSC RAS 2021)  A. Electron microscopy image of nanostructures smaller than 1 nanometers B. Nanoscales analog of radio antennas C. A fictional nanorobot D. A semiconductor nanostructure   Answer: D   Mains:   1. The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in the 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings? (UPSC 2021) 2. Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. (UPSC 2018)

 

Source: The Hindu