Three Scientists Awarded 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling

Pioneering Quantum Discoveries Honored

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been jointly awarded to three distinguished scientists: John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the laureates on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, recognizing their groundbreaking research into 'the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantization in an electric circuit'. This pivotal work has significantly advanced the understanding and application of quantum mechanics, paving the way for the next generation of digital technology.

Unveiling Macroscopic Quantum Phenomena

The trio's award-winning research focused on demonstrating quantum mechanical properties, such as quantum tunneling and energy quantization, on a macroscopic scale. Their experiments, conducted in the 1980s, showed that these phenomena could occur in electrical circuits large enough to be physically held. This was a crucial step in bridging the gap between the microscopic quantum world and larger, observable systems. The Nobel Committee highlighted that these circuits were forerunners of the superconducting quantum bits, or qubits, which are fundamental to many of today's quantum computers.

Olle Eriksson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, emphasized the enduring relevance of quantum mechanics, stating, 'It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the way that century-old quantum mechanics continually offers new surprises. It is also enormously useful, as quantum mechanics is the foundation of all digital technology.'

Laureates' Contributions and Affiliations

The three laureates bring diverse backgrounds to their shared achievement:

• John Clarke, born in England, is an emeritus professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley.
• Michel H. Devoret, born in France, is affiliated with Yale University and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
• John M. Martinis, an American, conducts his research at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Both Devoret and Martinis have also been associated with Google's Quantum A.I. Lab in recent years. Upon receiving the news, Clarke expressed his astonishment, remarking, 'To put it mildly, it was the surprise of my life.' He also lauded his collaborators, stating that their contributions 'were just overwhelming.'

Impact on Digital Technology and Beyond

The discoveries made by Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis have profound implications for future technological advancements. Their work is considered foundational for the development of the next generation of quantum technology, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and highly sensitive quantum sensors. Clarke himself noted the broad impact of their research, stating, 'Our discovery in some ways is the basis of quantum computing.' He also pointed out its relevance to everyday devices, adding, 'One of the underlying reasons that cellphones work is because of all this work.'

The ability to observe and manipulate quantum phenomena on a larger scale opens new avenues for innovation, promising to revolutionize fields from secure communication to advanced computation and precision measurement.