RAS question
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 was awarded to Clarke, Devoret and Martinis for their work on which quantum phenomenon?
Correct answer: (B) Macroscopic quantum tunnelling.
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 recognised John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.
Explanation
John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis received the 2025 Physics Nobel for showing that quantum behaviour can be established in an engineered electrical circuit at a macroscopic scale. NobelPrize.org states that the award was for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit. That wording is the key to the MCQ: the prize did not cite a general quantum idea, but the specific circuit-level proof of macroscopic quantum tunnelling and quantised energy. The exam hook is that this work helped lay the foundation for quantum computing. Option B therefore matches both the Nobel citation and the stated significance.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Quantum entanglement is not named in the Nobel citation; the cited work is macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.
- (C) Quantum superposition is a broader quantum idea, while the award citation specifically identifies macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit.
- (D) Quantum chromodynamics is outside the cited electrical-circuit work, which the Nobel summary links to macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation.
Concept
This tests Science and Technology current affairs, especially Nobel-linked quantum technologies. RAS repeats such items because they connect a recent award to a precise scientific phenomenon rather than to a vague technology label.