Nobel Prize in Physics Awards Three Scientists for Advancing Quantum Technology

John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis were awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering work demonstrating macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in electric circuits, specifically using Josephson junctions. Their research, conducted primarily in the 1980s, bridged the gap between quantum mechanics at a microscopic level and tangible macroscopic effects, laying the foundation for advances in quantum technology including quantum computing, cryptography, and sensors. Clarke highlighted the practical impact of their work, noting its role in enabling technologies like cellphones, while the Nobel Committee emphasized the continuing significance of their discoveries for the next generation of quantum devices. The laureates' experiments revealed that quantum phenomena, such as tunneling where particles pass through barriers, can operate on scales visible and useful in everyday technology, fundamentally advancing digital technology. Their achievement was celebrated during the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, underscoring the broad implications of foundational quantum physics for current and future technological innovation. The prize recognized their transformative contribution to both science and practical applications, marking a major milestone in understanding and harnessing quantum mechanics beyond the microscopic realm.