Three Physicists Awarded Nobel Prize for Quantum Tunneling Research
Stockholm — John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis were honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday for their groundbreaking research in quantum tunneling—an area of study that is poised to revolutionize digital technology.
At the heart of this achievement, Clarke, 83, conducted his research at the University of California, Berkeley, while Martinis and Devoret were affiliated with the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Yale University.
In a candid moment following the announcement, Clarke expressed his astonishment, stating, “To put it mildly, it was the surprise of my life.”
He also acknowledged the remarkable contributions of his fellow laureates, remarking that “their contributions are just overwhelming.”
He elaborated, “Our discovery serves as a foundation for quantum computing. However, the exact implications of this moment elude me at present.”
Nonetheless, from his mobile device, Clarke further noted, “One of the underlying reasons that cellphones function is attributable to this body of work.”
Photos of (LtoR) British physicist John Clarke, French physicist Michel H. Devoret, and U.S. physicist John M. Martinis are displayed during a press conference at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden, Oct. 7, 2025.
The Nobel committee highlighted that the trio’s contributions made during the 1980s continue to open avenues for advancing “the next generation of quantum technologies, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and quantum sensors.”
“It is truly remarkable to celebrate the continual surprises engendered by century-old quantum mechanics. This field remains exceedingly beneficial, as quantum mechanics forms the bedrock of all digital technologies,” remarked Olle Eriksson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics.
Quantum mechanics, a century-old discipline, delves into the enigmatic realm of subatomic particles, where switches can exist in dual states and atomic components can traverse seemingly impenetrable barriers.
The Nobel-winning efforts of Clarke, Martinis, and Devoret have translated these complexities into practical applications that could significantly enhance computing and communications.
According to Richard Fitzgerald, editor-in-chief of Physics Today, “What these three physicists have accomplished is to elevate phenomena beyond our sensory perception and translate them into recognizable constructs upon which we can build.”
Fitzgerald, who worked in a competitor’s group in the 1990s, underscores the significance of this advancement.
Mark Pearce, a professor of astrophysics and a member of the Nobel Physics Committee, discussed various potential applications, stating, Quantum computers represent one obvious outcome; however, their utility extends to quantum sensors, enabling precise measurements of magnetic fields, among other things.
Additionally, they could facilitate cryptographic methods to safeguard information from interception. Olle Eriksson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, and Hans Ellegren, Secretary General of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, listen during a press conference announcing the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics, Stockholm, Sweden, Oct. 7, 2025.
This marks the 119th occasion the Nobel Prize has been awarded. Last year, AI pioneers John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton received the physics prize for their contributions to the foundational elements of machine learning.
On Monday, Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their insights into how the immune system differentiates between pathogens and the body’s own cells.
The series of Nobel announcements continues with Chemistry on Wednesday and Literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will be disclosed on Friday, followed by the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics on October 13.
The award ceremony is scheduled for December 10, coinciding with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s 1896 passing. The prizes carry both immense prestige and a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor (nearly $1.2 million).
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