The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 has been awarded to three remarkable scientists — John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis — for their groundbreaking work in quantum physics. Their discovery focuses on macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in electric circuits, proving that quantum effects can exist not just at the microscopic level but also in human-scale systems. This achievement opens new doors for advanced technologies, particularly in quantum computing, which promises to revolutionise data processing and secure communication in the future.
I am writing about this topic because the Nobel Prize in Physics often signals where the next big leap in science and technology will come from. Understanding the work of these scientists helps us see how fundamental research can lead to innovations that affect daily life — from faster computers to new ways of solving problems that classical physics couldn’t. Moreover, it’s important to recognise the people behind such breakthroughs — their education, research journeys, and the institutions that supported them. Their achievements not only inspire young scientists but also show how international collaboration can drive modern science forward.
Who are the Nobel Physics 2025 winners?
The three laureates — John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis — have spent decades studying quantum systems and superconducting circuits. Their combined work has shown how quantum phenomena can be manipulated and observed on larger, visible scales, something once considered nearly impossible.
This discovery has huge implications for the development of quantum computers, which use quantum bits (qubits) that can perform multiple calculations simultaneously — far beyond the capacity of traditional computers.
| Name | Field of Research | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| John Clarke | Experimental Physics, Quantum Tunnelling | Demonstrated macroscopic quantum tunnelling in superconducting systems |
| Michel H. Devoret | Applied Physics, Quantum Engineering | Pioneered energy quantisation in electric circuits and developed techniques for qubit control |
| John M. Martinis | Quantum Computing and Electronics | Designed large-scale quantum processors using superconducting qubits |
What was their Nobel-winning discovery about?
Their key research revolves around macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation — complex ideas that can be simplified as follows:
- In normal physics, quantum effects are seen only at the atomic or subatomic level.
- Their work showed that these effects can also occur in larger systems, such as electric circuits.
- They proved that superconducting circuits can display quantum properties like energy quantisation and tunnelling between states.
This discovery is important because it bridges the gap between quantum theory and practical engineering. It’s one of the main reasons we now have superconducting qubits, which are used by companies like Google and IBM to build experimental quantum computers.
Education and academic background
Let’s take a closer look at the education and academic journey of the three scientists.
John Clarke
- Educated at the University of Cambridge, where he completed his PhD in Physics.
- Currently Professor of Physics at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Known for his pioneering work on superconductivity and the development of ultra-sensitive magnetic field detectors called SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices).
Michel H. Devoret
- A French physicist educated at École Normale Supérieure and the University of Paris-Saclay.
- Serves as a Professor of Applied Physics at Yale University.
- His research focuses on quantum electronics, qubit development, and noise control in quantum circuits.
John M. Martinis
- Completed his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Formerly a leading researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Google Quantum AI Lab.
- Credited with designing one of the world’s first quantum processors capable of demonstrating quantum supremacy — a point where quantum computers outperform classical ones.
Career milestones and contributions
Each laureate has made lasting contributions that go beyond their Nobel-winning work:
- John Clarke revolutionised the study of superconducting systems and magnetometers, which are now used in medical imaging and fundamental physics experiments.
- Michel Devoret advanced our understanding of how to maintain coherence in quantum circuits, which is essential for building stable qubits.
- John Martinis led the Google team that achieved a major milestone in 2019 by demonstrating quantum supremacy — a defining moment in the field.
Their collective efforts have shaped the field of quantum technology, influencing both academic research and commercial development.
Awards and recognition
Before receiving the Nobel Prize, the three scientists had already earned recognition from various international bodies:
- John Clarke: Awarded the London Medal by the Institute of Physics and elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Michel H. Devoret: Received the Europhysics Prize and the Yale Science and Engineering Award for his contributions to quantum electronics.
- John M. Martinis: Honoured with the Joseph F. Keithley Award and named one of the leading figures in quantum computing research.
These honours reflect their long-standing impact on the world of physics and their leadership in shaping the next generation of scientists.
