Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Right Decision on Wrong Quantum Tunneling: The 2025 Nobel Prize and the Myth of Macroscopic

DR. ZULFIQAR ALI KHAN

Published Aug 25, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

AbstractThe 2025 Nobel Prize for quantum tunneling in an electrical circuit andthe 1973 Prize for tunneling phenomena in solids share the same mechanism:tunneling through a thin oxide barrier described by Josephson equations.The 1973 mechanism was correctly monitored as micro. In 2025, thebarrier remains ∼ 10−9 m, the chip remains micro-fabricated, and the particleremains a Cooper pair. Only the external circuit was enlarged.The phenomenon is correct and the mechanism is correct, but the label”Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling” is incorrect. A micro-based tunnelingevent does not become macroscopic by enlarging its wires. The correct termis enlarged micro tunneling.

DOI
10.5281/zenodo.22094408

Related papers

The Micro-Macro Tunneling Mechanism: Beyond the 2025 Nobel-Winning Enlarged Micro Illusion

DR. ZULFIQAR ALI KHAN

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics observed quantum tunneling in macroscopic circuitsgoverned by f (ϕ) = EJ (1 − cos ϕ) and I = Ic sin(ϕ). We prove this is enlarged microtunneling.We apply Unified Invariant Optimization Theory (UI Theory). For f : Rn → R, defineinvariant geometry Tη(x, y) = x + η(y, x) and invariant energy Φ(y) = f (y) − f (x∗) ≥ 0at equilibrium ∇f (x∗) = 0. Optimality is f (Tη(x∗, y)) ≥ f (x∗) ⇐⇒ Φ(Tη(x∗, y)) ≥ 0.We show 2025 mechanism satisfies ∥η(y, x)∥ ∼ 10−9m (oxide thickness) and Φ ∼10−24J, hence micro geometry. True micro-macro tunneling requires ∥η(y, x)∥ ≥ Lmacro ∼10−6 − 10−3m with invariant Φ preserved across scales and stable curvature Φ(Tη) ≥ 0.This gives first rigorous testable condition beyond the 2025 enlarged micro illusion.

•Oct 9, 2026•0 citations

What Does "Macroscopic" Mean in Macroscopic Quantum Tunnelling? A Terminology Note

DR. ZULFIQAR ALI KHAN

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics honours the discovery of macroscopic quantum tunnellingand energy quantisation in an electric circuit. This note asks what the word “macroscopic” refersto. We distinguish three readings: the physical size of the device, the thickness of the barrier,and the nature of the tunnelling variable. In current-biased Josephson-junction experiments thebarrier that is crossed is not the nanometre-thick oxide layer, whose pair tunnelling underliesthe Josephson effect recognised in 1973. It is a barrier in the effective potential of a collectivephase variable that describes billions of Cooper pairs. We argue that “macroscopic” is best readas describing this variable, and that this reading is consistent with the temperature-independentescape rate observed at low temperature. We also note that “macroscopic” has no single sharpdefinition. The note is a clarification and reports no new results.

•Oct 20, 2026•0 citations

Perspective on the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics: macroscopic quantum coherence becomes an engineered resource

Z. Yamani, Marco Merkli

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes a conceptual shift that has been more than a century in the making: the transition from observing quantum phenomena in materials to deliberately engineering quantum behaviour in macroscopic electrical circuits. Awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis, the prize honours the experimental demonstration and control of macroscopic quantum tunnelling and energy quantization in superconducting circuits. Their work resolved a long-standing question at the heart of quantum mechanics: can an object large enough to wire, probe, and manipulate behave as a single quantum system? The answer, now unequivocally, is yes.

Canadian Journal of Physics•Jan 1, 2026•0 citations

2025 Nobel Prize: Macroscopic Quantum Tunnelling in Superconducting Circuits — E8 Intelligence Research

Andrew Stewart Caldin

FINDING: 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded for macroscopic quantum tunnelling — the demonstration that quantum behaviour (superposition, tunnelling) persists in superconducting circuits large enough to be held in the hand. | MATH: Tunnelling probability through a barrier: T ≈ exp(−2∫√(2m(V(x)−E))/ħ dx). Macroscopic circuit regime governed by the Josephson relations: I = I_c sin(φ), dφ/dt = 2eV/ħ. Quantised energy levels in the "phase particle" potential U(φ) = −E_J cos(φ) − (ħ I_ext/2e)φ. Escape rate from a metastable well (Kramers/quantum regime): Γ ∝ exp(−B/ħ) where B is the Euclidean action of the bounce solution. | CONNECTION: The Josephson phase φ is a compact U(1) variable — a circle S¹. The washboard potential is a cosine lattice, i.e. a 1D periodic structure with the same translational symmetry class as crystallographic lattices. The tunnelling action B/ħ is dimensionless and scales with the ratio of barrier height to plasma frequency ω_p = √(2eI_c/ħC). No direct 0.618/1.618 Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com

•Oct 31, 2026•0 citations

Cornerstone for Superconducting Quantum Computing--Macroscopic Quantum Effects in Circuits：Comment on 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics

Qiujiang Guo, Haohua Wang

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 was awarded jointly to John Clarke，Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis “for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantization in an electric circuit”. Their landmark research validated the laws of quantum mechanics at the macroscopic scale，breaking the traditional notion that quantum behavior is confined to the microscopic realm. This breakthrough directly catalyzed the advent of superconducting quantum computing and has been hailed as “opening a door to quantum technologies.”

中国科学基金•Oct 1, 2025•0 citations

From superconductivity to macroscopic quantum phenomena: a path marked by Nobel Prizes

Sebastián Bergeret

Is it possible to create a Schrödinger’s cat in a laboratory - that is, to make a macroscopic object obey the laws of quantum mechanics? The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes experiments showing that this is indeed possible, using superconducting electrical circuits.

Europhysics news•Jan 1, 2026•0 citations
AbstractThe 2025 Nobel Prize for quantum tunneling in an electrical circuit andthe 1973 Prize for tunneling phenomena in solids share the same mechanism:tunneling through a thin oxide barrier described by Josephson equations.The 1973 mechanism was correctly monitored as micro. In 2025, thebarrier remains ∼ 10−9 m, the chip remains micro-fabricated, and the particleremains a Cooper pair. Only the external circuit was enlarged.The phenomenon is correct and the mechanism is correct, but the label”Macroscopic Quantum Tunneling” is incorrect. A micro-based tunnelingevent does not become macroscopic by enlarging its wires. The correct termis enlarged micro tunneling.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics observed quantum tunneling in macroscopic circuitsgoverned by f (ϕ) = EJ (1 − cos ϕ) and I = Ic sin(ϕ). We prove this is enlarged microtunneling.We apply Unified Invariant Optimization Theory (UI Theory). For f : Rn → R, defineinvariant geometry Tη(x, y) = x + η(y, x) and invariant energy Φ(y) = f (y) − f (x∗) ≥ 0at equilibrium ∇f (x∗) = 0. Optimality is f (Tη(x∗, y)) ≥ f (x∗) ⇐⇒ Φ(Tη(x∗, y)) ≥ 0.We show 2025 mechanism satisfies ∥η(y, x)∥ ∼ 10−9m (oxide thickness) and Φ ∼10−24J, hence micro geometry. True micro-macro tunneling requires ∥η(y, x)∥ ≥ Lmacro ∼10−6 − 10−3m with invariant Φ preserved across scales and stable curvature Φ(Tη) ≥ 0.This gives first rigorous testable condition beyond the 2025 enlarged micro illusion.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics honours the discovery of macroscopic quantum tunnellingand energy quantisation in an electric circuit. This note asks what the word “macroscopic” refersto. We distinguish three readings: the physical size of the device, the thickness of the barrier,and the nature of the tunnelling variable. In current-biased Josephson-junction experiments thebarrier that is crossed is not the nanometre-thick oxide layer, whose pair tunnelling underliesthe Josephson effect recognised in 1973. It is a barrier in the effective potential of a collectivephase variable that describes billions of Cooper pairs. We argue that “macroscopic” is best readas describing this variable, and that this reading is consistent with the temperature-independentescape rate observed at low temperature. We also note that “macroscopic” has no single sharpdefinition. The note is a clarification and reports no new results.
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes a conceptual shift that has been more than a century in the making: the transition from observing quantum phenomena in materials to deliberately engineering quantum behaviour in macroscopic electrical circuits. Awarded to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis, the prize honours the experimental demonstration and control of macroscopic quantum tunnelling and energy quantization in superconducting circuits. Their work resolved a long-standing question at the heart of quantum mechanics: can an object large enough to wire, probe, and manipulate behave as a single quantum system? The answer, now unequivocally, is yes.
FINDING: 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics awarded for macroscopic quantum tunnelling — the demonstration that quantum behaviour (superposition, tunnelling) persists in superconducting circuits large enough to be held in the hand. | MATH: Tunnelling probability through a barrier: T ≈ exp(−2∫√(2m(V(x)−E))/ħ dx). Macroscopic circuit regime governed by the Josephson relations: I = I_c sin(φ), dφ/dt = 2eV/ħ. Quantised energy levels in the "phase particle" potential U(φ) = −E_J cos(φ) − (ħ I_ext/2e)φ. Escape rate from a metastable well (Kramers/quantum regime): Γ ∝ exp(−B/ħ) where B is the Euclidean action of the bounce solution. | CONNECTION: The Josephson phase φ is a compact U(1) variable — a circle S¹. The washboard potential is a cosine lattice, i.e. a 1D periodic structure with the same translational symmetry class as crystallographic lattices. The tunnelling action B/ħ is dimensionless and scales with the ratio of barrier height to plasma frequency ω_p = √(2eI_c/ħC). No direct 0.618/1.618 Author: Andrew Stewart Caldin, Independent Researcher, UK. Part of the E8 Intelligence Research series. Platform: e8intelligence.com
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 was awarded jointly to John Clarke，Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis “for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantization in an electric circuit”. Their landmark research validated the laws of quantum mechanics at the macroscopic scale，breaking the traditional notion that quantum behavior is confined to the microscopic realm. This breakthrough directly catalyzed the advent of superconducting quantum computing and has been hailed as “opening a door to quantum technologies.”