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48m ago

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

The Academy credited 1980s Josephson‑junction experiments for showing quantum behavior in hand‑size circuits, enabling today’s quantum technologies.

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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)
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Overview

  • The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honored the trio for the “discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantization in an electric circuit.”
  • In 1984–85 they built superconducting Josephson‑junction circuits that exhibited tunnelling and discrete energy levels in a device large enough to hold.
  • The Nobel Committee said the work underpins advances in quantum computers, quantum cryptography and quantum sensors.
  • Clarke (UC Berkeley), Devoret (Yale/UC Santa Barbara) and Martinis (UC Santa Barbara) will share 11 million SEK, with medals to be presented on December 10 in Stockholm.
  • Clarke called the award “the surprise of my life” and linked the research to quantum computing, while reports note recent Google Quantum AI affiliations for Devoret and Martinis.