Additional Coverage:
Three Scientists Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics for Quantum Tunneling Research
STOCKHOLM – The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded Tuesday to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M.
Martinis for their groundbreaking research into quantum mechanical tunneling. Their work is heralded for laying foundational elements for the next generation of quantum technology.
Clarke conducted his pivotal research at the University of California, Berkeley, while Martinis carried out his studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Devoret’s contributions stemmed from his time at Yale University and also at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Upon hearing the news, Clarke expressed his astonishment, telling reporters by phone, “To put it mildly, it was the surprise of my life.” He acknowledged the significant contributions of his fellow laureates, stating, “their contributions are just overwhelming.”
Clarke also noted the potential impact of their work, adding, “Our discovery in some ways is the basis of quantum computing. Exactly at this moment where this fits in is not entirely clear to me.”
He further highlighted the practical applications, remarking, “One of the underlying reasons that cellphones work is because of all this work.”
The Nobel committee emphasized that the laureates’ discoveries open avenues for advancing “the next generation of quantum technology, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and quantum sensors.” Olle Eriksson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, celebrated the recognition, stating, “It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the way that century-old quantum mechanics continually offers new surprises. It is also enormously useful, as quantum mechanics is the foundation of all digital technology.”
This marks the 119th time the prestigious prize has been awarded. Last year, the physics prize recognized artificial intelligence pioneers John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton for their contributions to machine learning.
Earlier this week, on Monday, Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Dr.
Shimon Sakaguchi received the Nobel Prize in medicine for their discoveries on how the immune system distinguishes between harmful germs and the body’s own cells.
The Nobel announcements are set to continue throughout the week, with the chemistry prize to be revealed on Wednesday and literature on Thursday. The Nobel Peace Prize will follow on Friday, and the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is scheduled for October 13.
The laureates will be formally honored at an award ceremony on December 10, commemorating the 1896 death of Alfred Nobel, the wealthy Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite who established the prizes. Beyond the invaluable prestige, the prizes include a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to nearly $1.2 million.