Three US Physicists Win Nobel Prize for Quantum Breakthrough
Three United States-based scientists — John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis — have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for a series of experiments that demonstrated quantum physics in action. The laureates showed phenomena such as quantum tunneling and energy quantization in a system large enough to be touched and observed, a milestone that bridged abstract quantum theory and everyday technology.
Quantum Phenomena Made Visible
Historically, quantum effects were considered the realm of subatomic particles far removed from daily life. The 1984–1985 experiments by Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis, however, revealed these strange rules in a macroscopic system — one that could be probed with instruments and even glimpsed in our devices. In one striking observation, a current on a superconducting chip appeared to switch from a state of zero voltage to a finite voltage, illustrating quantum tunneling as a particle navigates a barrier it would classically be unable to cross. In another, the system absorbed energy only at specific, discrete frequencies, signaling energy quantization in a tangible circuit.
From Fundamental Science to Everyday Technology
The Nobel Committee noted that there is no advanced technology today that does not rely on quantum mechanics. The laureates’ work laid critical groundwork for technologies that have reshaped the digital landscape, including cellular networks, high-speed data transmission through fiber optics, and modern imaging. The macroscopic quantum system studied by Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis was “big enough to touch,” helping to translate quantum principles into practical devices.
Impact on Cellphones and Modern Communications
The ripple effects of this quantum milestone extend well beyond academic interest. Quantum technology underpins components used in today’s cellphones, cameras, and fiber-optic networks. By confirming that quantum effects can be controlled and observed in forms accessible to engineers, the prize-winning research accelerated the development of superconducting circuitry and quantum-enabled hardware that power faster, more secure communications and future quantum computers.
The Prize and the Laureates
The trio will share a prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (about Rs 10.4 crore). Clarke, British-born, is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Devoret, born in France, serves as a professor at Yale University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, where Martinis is also a professor. Martinis previously led Google’s Quantum AI Lab, and Devoret has held a role as chief scientist for Google Quantum AI. Their joint work marks the second consecutive year in which researchers with ties to Google have achieved Nobel recognition, following the 2024 chemistry prize and related honors in 2024.
Why This Prize Matters
Beyond the immediate celebration, the Nobel Prize emphasizes how foundational quantum physics remains in shaping tomorrow’s technology. The 2025 award underscores a broader trend: translating esoteric quantum effects into robust, scalable systems that engineers can deploy. As quantum components become more integrated with everyday devices, the boundary between laboratory physics and consumer tech grows increasingly seamless.
What Comes Next
With the groundwork established by Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis, researchers are pushing toward more reliable quantum processors, improved qubit designs, and practical quantum sensors. The prize serves as both recognition and inspiration for a field that seeks to harness quantum phenomena to solve problems once thought intractable, from cryptography to material science and beyond.
