US Scientists Bag 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for Quantum Breakthrough

New Delhi: Three American physicists have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering experiments that brought the strange world of quantum mechanics to life on a chip. Their discovery has paved the way for transformative advances in quantum computing, cryptography, and sensing technologies.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis will share the 11 million Swedish kronor prize for demonstrating “macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.”

Clarke and Martinis are affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara, while Devoret represents Yale University in New Haven and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Their landmark experiments showed that quantum mechanical properties, which usually vanish at large scales, can be made visible and measurable in everyday-sized systems. Using an electrical circuit small enough to hold in one’s hand, the trio demonstrated both quantum tunnelling and quantised energy levels — key phenomena that underlie the principles of quantum physics.

“It is remarkable that a theory over a hundred years old continues to reveal new surprises,” said Olle Eriksson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics. “Quantum mechanics remains not only fascinating but also immensely practical, as it forms the basis of all digital technology.”

The committee noted that the researchers’ work strengthens the bridge between quantum theory and real-world applications, offering a foundation for the next generation of quantum technologies.

Quantum tunnelling allows particles to pass through barriers they normally couldn’t cross — a principle that powers modern transistors and microchips. The laureates’ ability to observe such effects on a macroscopic level marks a major step forward in quantum engineering.

In comparison, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics recognized John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton for their groundbreaking contributions to machine learning and artificial neural networks, highlighting the Nobel Committee’s continued focus on discoveries reshaping modern science and technology.