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John Martinis

Person

A physicist and the 2025 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work on macroscopic quantum mechanics, which became a foundational element for the field of quantum computing.


First Mentioned

10/28/2025, 4:46:47 AM

Last Updated

10/28/2025, 4:48:18 AM

Research Retrieved

10/28/2025, 4:48:18 AM

Summary

John Martinis, born in 1958, is an American physicist and Professor of Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is a 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics laureate, sharing the award with John Clarke and Michel Devoret for their foundational work on macroscopic quantum phenomena in superconductors. His pioneering research, notably his landmark 1985 paper, experimentally demonstrated quantum tunneling in macroscopic electrical circuits built with superconductors and Josephson junctions, thereby laying the experimental groundwork for quantum computing. Martinis also led the Google Quantum AI Lab, a collaboration with UC Santa Barbara, where his team achieved quantum supremacy in 2019 with the Sycamore processor. His extensive career includes roles at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and co-founding QoLab in 2022, continuing his focus on superconducting qubits and quantum error correction. He is distinct from the American politician John Martinis (1930–2013).

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Born

    1958

  • Awards

    Nobel Prize in Physics (2025), AAAS Science Breakthrough of the Year (2010), London Prize for low-temperature physics research (2014)

  • Ethnicity

    Croatian descent

  • Known For

    Macroscopic Quantum Phenomena in Superconductors, Quantum Computing, Quantum Supremacy, Superconducting Qubits, Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling, Energy Quantization

  • Alma Mater

    University of California, Berkeley

  • Profession

    Physicist

  • Nationality

    American

  • Academic Chair

    Worster Chair in experimental physics

  • Place of Birth

    San Pedro, California, United States

  • Doctoral Advisor

    John Clarke

  • Current Affiliation

    Professor of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

Timeline
  • Born in San Pedro, California. (Source: summary, wikipedia, web_search_results)

    1958-01-01

  • Began studies at the University of California, Berkeley. (Source: web_search_results)

    1976-01-01

  • Received a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley. (Source: web_search_results)

    1980-01-01

  • Published his landmark paper on macroscopic quantum mechanics, demonstrating quantum phenomena in macroscopic electrical circuits built with superconductors and Josephson junctions. (Source: summary, related_documents)

    1985-01-01

  • Received a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley. (Source: web_search_results)

    1987-01-01

  • Completed a post-doctoral position at the Commisiariat Energie Atomic in Saclay, France. (Source: web_search_results)

    1987-01-01

  • Joined the Electromagnetic Technology division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, where he developed a fundamental electrical standard and invented microcalorimeters. (Source: related_documents, web_search_results)

    1987-01-01

  • Moved to the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he currently holds the Worster Chair in experimental physics. (Source: related_documents, web_search_results)

    2004-01-01

  • Awarded the AAAS Science Breakthrough of the Year with Andrew Cleland for demonstrating the first quantum behavior of a mechanical oscillator. (Source: web_search_results)

    2010-01-01

  • Awarded the London Prize for low-temperature physics research. (Source: web_search_results)

    2014-01-01

  • Joined the Google quantum-AI team, leading efforts to build a practical quantum computer. (Source: related_documents, web_search_results)

    2014-01-01

  • Led a team at Google Quantum AI Lab to achieve quantum supremacy with the Sycamore processor, providing the first evidence of this milestone. (Source: summary, wikipedia, related_documents)

    2019-01-01

  • Left Google Quantum AI Lab. (Source: web_search_results)

    2020-01-01

  • Co-founded QoLab. (Source: web_search_results)

    2022-01-01

  • Shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with John Clarke and Michel Devoret for their joint work on macroscopic quantum phenomena in superconductors. (Source: summary, wikipedia, related_documents)

    2025-01-01

John M. Martinis

John Matthew Martinis (born 1958) is an American physicist and Professor of Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He led a team to develop a superconducting quantum computer at Google Quantum AI Lab, a partnership between UC Santa Barbara and Google. With the Sycamore processor, they claimed the first evidence of quantum supremacy in 2019. He shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics with John Clarke and Michel Devoret for their joint work on macroscopic quantum phenomena in superconductors.

Web Search Results
  • John M. Martinis | Biography, Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling ...

    John M. Martinis (born 1958) is an American physicist known for his pioneering work in quantum computing, particularly in the development of superconducting qubits, the basic units of quantum information. His research has advanced the generation of high-fidelity qubits that form the foundation for scalable quantum processors. He also made significant contributions to the discovery of macroscopic quantum tunneling (MQT) and energy quantization, for which he was recognized with the 2025 Nobel [...] American physicist John M. Martinis is known for his pioneering work in quantum computing, particularly in the development of superconducting qubits. He also made significant contributions to the discovery of macroscopic quantum tunneling and energy quantization, for which he was recognized with a share of the 2025 Nobel Prize for Physics. ### Where did John M. Martinis receive degrees from? [...] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: •Article History Quick Facts In full: : John Matthew Martinis Born: : 1958 (age 67) Awards And Honors: : Nobel Prize (2025) Subjects Of Study: : quantum mechanics : quantum computer : qubit See all related content Top Questions ### What is John M. Martinis known for?

  • John M. Martinis - Wikipedia

    John Matthew Martinis (born 1958) is an American physicist and Professor of Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He led a team to develop a superconducting quantum computer at Google Quantum AI Lab, a partnership between UC Santa Barbara and Google. With the Sycamore processor, they claimed the first evidence of quantum supremacy in 2019. [...] John Matthew Martinis was born in 1958 and raised in San Pedro, California. He describes himself as of Croatian descent, his mother being from United States and his father being an ethnic Croat from Komiža on the island of Vis "Vis (island)") near Split, Croatia. His father immigrated to the United States from Yugoslavia, escaping the communist regime. [...] After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, Martinis received a Bachelor of Science in physics in 1980 and a Doctor of Philosophy in physics in 1987. During his doctoral studies, he investigated the quantum behaviour of a macroscopic variable, the phase difference across a Josephson tunnel junction. His doctorate advisor was John Clarke "John Clarke (physicist)"). During this time, he collaborated with Michel Devoret, a postdoctoral researcher at the time.

  • John Martinis - Qolab

    John Martinis is a distinguished physicist who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking contributions to quantum computing. With a focus on superconducting qubits, Martinis has been at the forefront of developing high-fidelity qubits essential for scalable quantum processors. Prior to founding Qolab, Martinis was a key figure behind Google’s quantum supremacy experiment, he led the team that demonstrated a quantum computer outperforming the world’s best classical [...] supercomputers. His pioneering work in quantum error correction and scalable quantum processors has significantly advanced the field. Martinis continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of quantum engineers and scientists, driving forward the practical implementation of quantum computing.

  • California physicist and Nobel laureate John Martinis won't quit on ...

    Load comments (0);) ##### Get Instant Summarized Text (Gist) John Martinis, a key figure in quantum computing, demonstrated quantum tunneling in large objects, laying groundwork for quantum computers. His career spans academia and industry, including leading the creation of a quantum processor surpassing classical supercomputers. He advocates for accelerated U.S. quantum research and collaborative innovation using advanced semiconductor chips. [...] This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked reputable news agency proofread A California physicist and Nobel laureate who laid the foundation for quantum computing isn't done working. For the last 40 years, John Martinis has worked—mostly within California—to create the fastest computers ever built. [...] After leaving Google in 2020, Martinis co-founded his private company, QoLab, in 2022 with a belief that advanced semiconductor chips are the path to achieving usable quantum computers. The company has begun collaborating with other startup companies and academic groups involved in semiconductor production, he said.

  • [PDF] Dr. John M. Martinis - GOMACTech

    Dr. John M. Martinis John M. Martinis attended the University of California at Berkeley from 1976 to 1987, where he received two degrees in Physics: B.S. (1980) and Ph.D. (1987). His thesis was a pioneering demonstration of quantum-bit states in superconductors. After completing a post-doctoral position at the Commisiariat Energie Atomic in Saclay, France, he joined the Electromagnetic Technology division at NIST in Boulder. At NIST he developed a new fundamental electrical standard based on [...] counting electrons, and invented microcalorimeters based on superconducting sensors for x-ray microanalysis and astrophysics measurements. In 2004 he moved to the University of California, Santa Barbara where he currently holds the Worster Chair in experimental physics. At UCSB, he has continued work on quantum computation, demonstrating a variety of new quantum devices and capabilities. Along with Andrew Cleland, he was awarded in 2010 the AAAS science breakthrough of the year for an [...] experiment showing the first quantum behavior of a mechanical oscillator. In 2014 he was awarded the London Prize for low-temperature physics research. In 2014 he joined the Google quantum-AI team, and now heads an effort to build the first practical quantum computer.

John Martinis (June 4, 1930 – January 29, 2013) was an American politician in the state of Washington. He served in the Washington House of Representatives from 1969 to 1984 for district 38.

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