Hyderabad, Jan.23 (RAHNUMA): The School of Physics, University of Hyderabad (UoH) commenced celebrations marking the centenary of quantum mechanics through a national-level conference titled “100 Years of Quantum Mechanics – 2026”. The conference features technical and popular lectures, poster presentations, and panel discussions, with participation from physicists, researchers, and learners from across the country.
The conference was inaugurated on Friday by Prof. B.J. Rao, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, in the presence of the Dean (In-charge), School of Physics, and the Director, Institution of Eminence (IoE).
Addressing the gathering, the Vice-Chancellor described the centenary of quantum mechanics as “the best celebration any academic institution can undertake”, noting that it represents not only a celebration of science, but also a celebration of ‘human intellectual achievement’. He highlighted the rich academic legacy of the University of Hyderabad.
Prof. Nirmal K. Viswanathan, Dean (In-charge), School of Physics, emphasized the role of quantum optics within the broader framework of quantum mechanics. Prof. Ghanashyam Krishna, Director, IoE, underscored the importance of Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) in advancing quantum technologies.
Following the inaugural session, the Vice-Chancellor chaired the first technical session. The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Jayanta Kumar Bhattacharjee, Harish-Chandra Research Institute, Prayagraj, followed by an invited talk by Prof. Subroto Mukherjee, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
The conference features 10 distinguished speakers and has attracted over 370 participants and learners from across the country. It will conclude on 24 January 2026 with a popular science lecture for high-school students.
This year holds special significance for physicists worldwide, marking 100 years since the birth of Schrödinger’s wave mechanics. Around the same period, other foundational formulations – Heisenberg-Born-Jordan matrix mechanics, quantum statistical mechanics (Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac statistics), and the Dirac-von Neumann-Weyl mathematical framework – also emerged.
Quantum mechanics revolutionized humanity’s understanding of nature, particularly the behavior and interactions of microscopic systems. A century later, it continues to remain profoundly relevant, shaping modern science, technology, and the progress of human civilization.
