The circuit route to quantum computing
Electrical circuits, qubit designs and processor experiments. Four sourced contributions to read in sequence.
- STOP 1 OF 4 · Observe quantum circuits
Michel H. Devoret
1980s · Quantum behavior in electrical circuits
Working with John Clarke and John Martinis, Devoret contributed to experiments on macroscopic quantum tunneling and quantized energy levels in electrical circuits. UC Santa Barbara identifies these experiments as the work recognized by their shared 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Experimental collaborator with John Clarke and John Martinis; the contribution and Nobel recognition are shared.
Read the contribution in context - STOP 2 OF 4 · Couple light and circuits
Robert J. Schoelkopf
2004 · Circuit quantum electrodynamics
Schoelkopf co-authored the demonstration of strong coupling between a superconducting qubit and a single microwave photon. This work helped establish circuit quantum electrodynamics as a framework for controlling quantum states in engineered electrical circuits.
Co-author of the 2004 strong-coupling experiment with the circuit-QED team.
Read the contribution in context - STOP 3 OF 4 · Design a transmon
Jens Koch
2007 · Introducing the transmon
As first author, Koch introduced the transmon with a team of superconducting-circuit researchers. The design reduces charge sensitivity by increasing the ratio of Josephson to charging energy while retaining sufficient anharmonicity for selective control.
First author of the transmon paper; the circuit proposal was developed collaboratively.
Read the contribution in context - STOP 4 OF 4 · Test a processor
John M. Martinis
2019 · The Sycamore random-circuit experiment
Martinis coauthored the experiment using 53 programmable superconducting qubits to sample quantum-circuit outputs. The team compared that specific task with classical simulations; the paper’s historical benchmark does not establish universal practical advantage.
Coauthor of the Sycamore experiment; the benchmark and its interpretation concern the full team’s specific sampling task.
Read the contribution in context