- Discovery of quantum tunnelling in circuits lays foundation for next-generation technologies
STOCKHOLM — October 7, 2025 (Agencies): The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for their groundbreaking research in quantum mechanics, which has paved the way for the development of quantum computing—a transformative leap in modern technology.
Announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a news conference in Stockholm, the prize recognizes a series of 1980s experiments that demonstrated macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in electrical circuits. These discoveries, once considered theoretical, have become the backbone of superconducting qubits, a key component in quantum computers.
“There is no advanced technology used today that does not rely on quantum mechanics, including mobile phones, cameras, and fibre optic cables,” the Nobel committee stated.
Professor John Clarke, born in Cambridge, UK, and currently at the University of California, Berkeley, expressed surprise at the honor: “To put it mildly, it was the surprise of my life,” he said during a phone call to the news conference.
His co-laureates include Michel H. Devoret, born in Paris and now a professor at Yale University, and John M. Martinis, a professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The trio will share the 11 million Swedish kronor prize (approximately £872,000).
Their work explored how subatomic particles, such as electrons, can tunnel through energy barriers—a phenomenon previously thought impossible under classical physics. Crucially, they showed that this quantum behaviour could be replicated in real-world electrical circuits, enabling the creation of quantum chips.
“This is something that leads to the development of the quantum computer,” said Prof Clarke. “Many people are working on quantum computing—our discovery is in many ways the basis of this.”
The announcement has been met with acclaim across the scientific community. “This is wonderful news indeed, and very well deserved,” said Professor Lesley Cohen, Associate Provost at Imperial College London. “Their work has laid the foundations for superconducting qubits—one of the main hardware technologies for quantum technologies.”
The Nobel Prize in Physics continues to honor discoveries that shape the future of science and technology, and this year’s award underscores the profound impact of quantum research on everyday life and global innovation.