Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 Winners: Who are John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for their groundbreaking work that brought the mysterious world of quantum mechanics into real life. Their research on quantum tunnelling and energy quantisation in electric circuits is helping shape the future of powerful quantum computers.

A day earlier, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was given to Fred Ramsdell, Shimon Sakaguchi, and Mary E. Brunkow for discovering how the immune system maintains balance and prevents autoimmune diseases. Their findings 

What Nobel Prize in Physics Winners Discovered

The three scientists proved that quantum effects can exist in systems large enough to hold in your hand. Using superconducting electrical circuits, they showed that these systems can move from one state to another as if passing through a wall and that they absorb or release energy in fixed amounts, exactly as quantum theory predicts.
Their research is a major step toward creating the next generation of quantum technology.

Who are these Physics Laureates?

All three have been recognised for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.

John Clarke

Born in 1942 in Cambridge, United Kingdom. He is affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley.
Prize share: one third

Michel H. Devoret

Born in 1953 in Paris, France. He is associated with Yale University and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Prize share: one third

John M. Martinis

Born in 1958. He works at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Prize share: one third

What is Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize was created from the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and industrialist, in 1895. He left most of his wealth to establish awards for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
The first prizes were presented in 1901 to honour those whose work benefited humanity. Later, a sixth category, Economic Sciences, was added in his memory.
The Peace Prize is presented in Oslo, Norway, while the other prizes are awarded in Sweden. Together, the Nobel Prizes represent the highest global recognition for achievements in science, creativity, and humanitarian efforts.

However, the announcement of the remaining Nobel Prizes 2025 is still awaited. The Chemistry Prize will be declared on 8 October, followed by the Literature Prize on 9 October. The Peace Prize will be revealed on 10 October, and finally, the Economic Sciences Prize will be announced on 13 October.