The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to British physicist John Clarke, French physicist Michel Devoret, and American physicist John Martinis for their pioneering work in quantum mechanics. The trio conducted groundbreaking experiments demonstrating that the strange properties of the quantum world can produce measurable effects on a macroscopic scale. Their work involved developing a superconducting electrical system capable of quantum tunneling passing through energy barriers in a way analogous to a ball moving through a wall which was previously considered to occur only at microscopic levels.
These discoveries have paved the way for advances in next-generation quantum technologies such as quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and quantum sensors. The researchers showed that energy in their system is quantized, meaning it is absorbed and emitted in discrete amounts, aligning with predictions of quantum theory. The prize, shared among the three scientists, includes a monetary award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately £871,400) and was announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.
2025 Nobel Prize for quantum mechanics
John Clarke, who learned of the award through a phone call, described the news as “the surprise of my life” and praised his collaborators for their brilliant contributions. The Nobel Prize ceremony will take place in December in Sweden, continuing a tradition that honors significant contributions to science since 1901. This year’s award highlights the growing importance of quantum mechanics in contemporary physics and technology development.
