Published on: October 7, 2025 at 16:30
In October 2025, the scientific world paused: the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded 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.”
Why does that matter? Because quantum weirdness—particles tunneling through walls, energy in discrete chunks—has long been confined to the microscopic realm. These scientists showed that such behavior can appear in a system large enough to hold in your hand. That bridges the micro to macro, with implications for quantum computing, sensing, and our fundamental understanding of physics.
In this blog, we’ll explore:
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What exactly did they discover?
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Why is it a paradigm shift?
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What might this unlock for future quantum technologies?
Plus a personal reflection about what it means for science.
What They Discovered: Quantum Tunneling on a Human Scale
The Traditional view: quantum effects are microscopic
Quantum mechanics famously predicts that small particles (electrons, atoms) can tunnel through energy barriers they classically shouldn’t pass. But once many particles act together, these effects tend to average out—macroscopic objects behave classically.
The Nobel experiment: circuits & superconductors
Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis used superconducting circuits and Josephson junctions (insulating barriers between superconductors) to build a system whose entire behavior could be described by a single “macroscopic quantum object.”
In their setup, they trapped the system in a zero-voltage (stable) state behind a barrier. Quantum mechanics allows it to “escape” by tunneling—jumping through rather than over the barrier. When it does, the system shifts to a voltage state, detectable in measurements. They also showed quantised energy levels—the system only absorbs or emits energy in discrete steps.
In short: a many-particle ensemble exhibited quantum behavior macroscopically.
Why it matters
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It pushes the boundary: how large can a “quantum system” be?
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It demonstrates that collective quantum effects can be controlled in circuits.
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It gives experimental grounding to ideas once considered purely theoretical.
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Why This Is a Paradigm Shift in Physics
From theory to tangible demonstration
The question “how big can quantum behavior get?” has been debated for decades. This Nobel work turned abstract speculation into real hardware experiments.
Bridging micro and macro
We often think of classical and quantum realms as separate. This discovery shows that the boundary is more porous—and that under the right conditions, macroscopic systems can retain quantum coherence and tunneling behavior.
Fueling next-gen quantum tech
Because these experiments use circuits and electrical systems, they are naturally more compatible with building quantum computers, quantum sensors, or quantum cryptography devices. The laureates’ work helps refine how we design and manipulate quantum bits (qubits) in superconducting systems.
Theoretical implications
Seeing quantisation and tunneling at this scale tightens the bridge between fundamental physics and engineering. It challenges theorists to refine how decoherence, coupling, and noise behave in macroscopic quantum systems.
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What This Means for Quantum Technology & the Future
Toward more stable qubits and quantum computing
One of the major challenges in quantum computing is decoherence (loss of quantum behavior due to environment). This Nobel work helps in designing circuits that maintain coherence even when more particles or “bulk” are involved.
Quantum sensing & metrology
Macroscopic quantum systems can respond sensitively to external fields (magnetic, electric), opening paths for ultra-sensitive sensors and measurement devices.
Quantum cryptography & secure communications
Better control over quantum states in circuits helps in developing robust quantum cryptography protocols, particularly where circuit-based devices are needed.
Philosophical & fundamental frontiers
This discovery reignites debates about the boundary between classical and quantum worlds. It nudges us to rethink: Is there a sharp divide at all, or just continuously varying regimes?
This Nobel Prize is not just for a clever experiment. It marks a turning point: the quantum realm is no longer confined to the invisible. It’s stepping into the world of circuits, devices, and technology we can build and touch.
When I first read about this, I felt a thrill: the idea that quantum strangeness—the ability to pass through walls, the discreteness of energy—can manifest in something you can hold. It’s a vivid reminder: nature is far more subtle and surprising than our everyday view suggests.
If you’re a student, researcher, or just curious: watch this space. Quantum devices, computing, sensing—they’re no longer science fiction. The 2025 Nobel has given us a clearer path toward making them real.