In a momentous announcement on Tuesday in Sweden, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. Their groundbreaking achievement lies in vividly demonstrating two fundamental properties of quantum mechanics—the laws governing the subatomic realm—within a system large enough to be seen and manipulated by the naked eye. This trio will share a prize totaling 11 million Swedish kroner, approximately $1.17 million.
“There is no advanced technology today that does not rely on quantum mechanics,” stated Olle Eriksson, chairman of the Nobel Committee for Physics, during the award announcement. He emphasized that the laureates’ discoveries were pivotal in paving the way for ubiquitous technologies such as cellphones, digital cameras, and fiber optic cables.
Moreover, their work significantly advanced the foundational understanding necessary for the ongoing development of quantum computers—devices poised to process information at speeds far surpassing conventional classical computers.
Why Were These Discoveries Recognized?
The recognition stems from a series of remarkable experiments conducted by the three scientists between 1984 and 1985. Through these endeavors, they conclusively proved the existence of two distinct quantum phenomena in a system that was, for the first time, visibly macroscopic.
Quantum mechanics, at its core, elucidates the peculiar properties and behaviors of individual or small clusters of elementary particles. One such counterintuitive behavior is ‘quantum tunneling,’ where a particle can pass through an energy barrier even without sufficient energy to do so classically. Until these experiments, quantum tunneling had only been confirmed at extremely minuscule scales.
Another defining characteristic of subatomic particles is the ‘quantization of energy,’ meaning they can only emit or absorb energy in fixed, discrete packets, not in continuous amounts.
Ordinarily, when dealing with a vast number of particles, these subtle quantum effects tend to average out and become imperceptible. (This is precisely why humans, composed of trillions of atoms, cannot simply tunnel through walls.)
However, the laureates of this year’s physics prize fundamentally shifted this understanding. They demonstrated, for the first time ever, that quantum tunneling could be observed in a system they boldly termed ‘macroscopic’—because, as their seminal paper described it, it was “big enough to get one’s grubby fingers on.” Crucially, they also confirmed that the energy within this macroscopic system was indeed quantized.
Meet the Brilliant Laureates
All three recipients hold esteemed professorships at American universities. John Clarke, an alumnus of Cambridge University, has been a professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, since 1969, now serving as professor emeritus at its graduate school.
Michel H. Devoret, a native of Paris where he also earned his Ph.D., is now professor emeritus in applied physics at the renowned Yale Quantum Institute at Yale University.
John M. Martinis, who received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, later taught there. More recently, he contributed his expertise to Google’s quantum A.I. team and is also professor emeritus of physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
It’s noteworthy that during the pivotal experiments, Dr. Clarke was the supervisor for Dr. Martinis, then a postdoctoral researcher, and Dr. Devoret, who was a graduate student.
Their Reaction to the Nobel Win
The Nobel committee managed to reach Dr. Clarke by phone during the live award announcement. Regarding the profound recognition, he shared, “To put it mildly, it was the surprise of my life. I’m completely stunned.”
He humbly added that it had never crossed his mind that their discoveries “might be the basis of a Nobel Prize.”
Who Claimed the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2024?
Last year, the prize was shared by John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton. Their work focused on discoveries that enhanced how computers learn, mirroring the human brain’s processes, thereby providing essential building blocks for advancements in artificial intelligence.
Other Nobel Laureates This Year
Earlier this week, Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday. Their significant discoveries illuminated peripheral immune tolerance—the critical system explaining how the immune system prevents its own cells from attacking healthy tissues and organs.
Upcoming Nobel Prize Announcements
The prize in physiology or medicine marks the first of six Nobel Prizes to be unveiled this year, each celebrating groundbreaking contributions by individuals or organizations in specific fields.
- **Chemistry:** The Nobel Prize in Chemistry will be announced on Wednesday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. In 2024, Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker were honored for their work showcasing the potential of artificial intelligence and other technologies to predict and invent new protein shapes.
- **Literature:** On Thursday, the Swedish Academy in Stockholm will announce the Nobel Prize in Literature. Last year, Han Kang, celebrated for her novel “The Vegetarian,” became the first South Korean writer to receive the prestigious award.
- **Peace:** The Nobel Peace Prize will be revealed on Friday by the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo. In 2024, the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors, was recognized “for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.”
- **Economic Sciences:** Next week, on Monday, the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. Last year, Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson were celebrated for their research into how institutions shape national wealth and prosperity, and their historical origins.
All Nobel Prize announcements are streamed live by the Nobel Prize organization.