2025 Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded to Quantum Pioneers

John M. Martinis, John Clarke, and Michel H. Devoret were awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work on macroscopic quantum tunneling in electrical circuits. Clarke is associated with the University of California, Berkeley, Devoret with Yale University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Martinis with the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Macroscopic objects, like balls or everyday devices, usually follow classical mechanics, where outcomes are predictable. Quantum mechanics governs atoms and electrons with probabilistic behaviors. The laureates' experiments showed that quantum effects, like tunneling, previously thought to occur only at the atomic scale, can also appear in systems large enough to see and handle. Their work bridges fundamental quantum physics and practical technology.

“It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the way that century-old quantum mechanics continually offers new surprises. It is also enormously useful, as quantum mechanics is the foundation of all digital technology,” says Olle Eriksson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics.

The trio’s research underpins developments in quantum cryptography, advanced computing, and other quantum-based technologies. John M. Martinis, who led Google’s team that achieved quantum supremacy with a superconducting qubit processor, played a key role in translating these discoveries into practical quantum computing applications. We are excited to highlight recent work co-authored by Martinis and colleagues at the startup Alpha Ring International Ltd., published in MDPI's Journal of Nuclear Engineering in May 2025.

Our heartfelt congratulations go to John and his fellow Nobel Prize winners!

Article published with MDPI

Performance Characteristics of the Battery-Operated Silicon PIN Diode Detector with an Integrated Preamplifier and Data Acquisition Module for Fusion Particle Detection
Authors: Chen, A.X.; Sigal, B.F.; Martinis, J.; Wong, A.Y.; Gunn, A.; Salazar, M.; Abdalla, N.; Xiao, K.-J.J.
Nucl. Eng. 2025, 6(2), 15.