• John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics.
• Their research focuses on macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization.
• The discoveries have significant implications for quantum technology, including computing and cryptography.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics to three US-based scientists, John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis, for their notable research in quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization. Their pioneering work demonstrated that quantum effects, previously limited to individual particles, could be observed in macroscopic systems. This breakthrough is expected to pave the way for advancements in quantum technologies, including quantum computers and sensors, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

The Nobel committee articulated that their experiments in the 1980s provided concrete evidence of quantum tunneling and quantization within electrical circuits, turning theoretical physics into tangible applications. Olle Eriksson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, emphasized the importance of their discoveries for developing the next generation of quantum technology and stated that "there is no advanced technology today that does not rely on quantum mechanics," according to Le Monde and NPR.

The laureates, all associated with prestigious American universities, conducted research that bridged the gap between quantum theory and practical applications, significantly contributing to future technologies that could revolutionize digital communication. Clarke described his award announcement as a “surprise of my life,” reflecting the unpredictable nature of scientific discoveries, as noted by Reuters and BBC.

The three scientists are set to share an award sum of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately $1.2 million), with their achievements celebrated during the Nobel Prize ceremony on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The recognition also comes as the second Nobel in the science category awarded this week, following the Nobel Prize in Medicine announced earlier, according to Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.