The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis. The prize recognizes their work on macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit, research that helped expand the understanding of how quantum effects can appear in larger systems.

Their findings are seen as foundational for areas linked to quantum technology, including efforts to build more powerful computing systems. The Nobel Committee said the work addressed a central question in physics: how quantum behavior can be observed and controlled in engineered devices.

Clarke, Devoret and Martinis each played a role in experiments that advanced the field beyond theory and into practical demonstration. Their achievement highlights decades of research that has shaped modern quantum science and opened new possibilities for future applications.

The Nobel Prize remains one of the most closely watched honors in science, and this year’s physics award underscores how fundamental research can influence technologies that are still emerging.

Michel devoret

Nobel Physics Prize honors trio for breakthroughs in quantum circuits