We are thrilled to share that the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences today awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis “for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.”

We are especially proud to celebrate Michel H. Devoret, an A.D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University and distinguished member of our academic community, whose visionary contributions continue to shape the future of quantum science. Devoret was appointed as an A.D. White Professor-at-Large (ADW-PAL) in 2023, for a six-year term. He captivated a standing-room-only audience in November 2024 with his keynote talk, “Physics of Information,” as part of his first visit to Cornell as a Professor-at-Large.

This year’s Nobel Prize recognizes a transformative breakthrough in quantum physics—one that bridges theory and application and opens new frontiers in quantum technologies.

As described on the Nobel Prize website:

“The laureates used a series of experiments to demonstrate that the bizarre properties of the quantum world can be made concrete in a system big enough to be held in the hand. Their superconducting electrical system could tunnel from one state to another, as if it were passing straight through a wall. They also showed that the system absorbed and emitted energy in doses of specific sizes, just as predicted by quantum mechanics.”

As noted in the Academy’s official press release:

“This year’s physics laureates’ experiments on a chip revealed quantum physics in action.”
“This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics has provided opportunities for developing the next generation of quantum technology, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and quantum sensors.”

Join with us as we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all three laureates.

Watch the official Nobel Prize announcement (below) on YouTube, where the Academy shares insights into the laureates’ work and its global impact.