The Nobel Prize in Physics honored three scientists for their research on the quantum tunneling effect, a cornerstone of quantum computing.
Three scientists —John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis— have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking discoveries on the tunneling effect in quantum mechanics, a phenomenon now seen as fundamental to the development of quantum computing and related technologies.
Their experiments, conducted in the 1980s, showed that a subatomic particle can pass through a barrier that would be impossible to cross according to classical physics.
This finding, known as the “tunneling effect,” became a cornerstone for new technologies that have reshaped modern understanding of matter and energy.
According to the Nobel Committee, the trio’s work “paved the way for the next generation of quantum technologies, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and ultra-sensitive quantum sensors.”
Clarke carried out his research at the University of California, Berkeley; Martinis at the University of California, Santa Barbara; and Devoret at Yale and also at UC Santa Barbara.
During the prize announcement, Clarke expressed his astonishment: “It was the surprise of my life. The contributions of my colleagues are simply overwhelming.”
He also remarked that their discovery “is, in some sense, the foundation of quantum computing,” though he admitted that “exactly how it fits into the broader framework of modern physics is still not entirely clear.”
Olle Eriksson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, highlighted the ongoing impact of quantum research: “Quantum mechanics, now a century old, continues to deliver new surprises and remains incredibly useful. It underpins all of today’s digital technology.”
The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded 119 times. Last year, artificial intelligence pioneers John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton received the honor for their contributions to the foundations of machine learning.
The Nobel announcements continue with Chemistry on Wednesday, Literature on Thursday, the Peace Prize on Friday, and the Nobel in Economic Sciences on October 13. The official award ceremony will take place on December 10 in Stockholm, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.
Each laureate receives a diploma, a gold medal, and a monetary award of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately 1.2 million U.S. dollars).
