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Clarke, Devoret and Martinis Win 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for Macroscopic Quantum Effects

The Royal Swedish Academy highlighted 1980s chip experiments that showed quantum tunnelling at hand‑held scale with energy levels appearing in discrete steps.

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The trio were won the Nobel for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.
FILE - A Nobel Prize medal is displayed before a ceremony at the Swedish Ambassador's Residence in London, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)
John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John Martinis are announced as winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics, at the Nobel Assembly of the Karolinska Institutet, in Stockholm, on Tuesday.

Overview

  • The trio was cited "for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit," the Academy announced in Stockholm.
  • Their Josephson‑junction circuits, built in 1984–85, demonstrated tunnelling in a macroscopic variable plus quantized energy states in a superconducting device.
  • The committee said the work enables next‑generation quantum technology, including quantum computers, secure communications, and high‑precision sensors.
  • Clarke (UC Berkeley), Devoret (Yale, also UC Santa Barbara), and Martinis (UC Santa Barbara) will share 11 million Swedish kronor, to be presented on Dec. 10 in Stockholm.
  • Reacting to the call, Clarke called the award "the surprise of my life," as outlets noted the laureates' links to ongoing quantum research, including industry efforts.