Michel Devoret
Also known as Michel H. Devoret, Michel Henri Devoret
Michel Devoret is a physicist whose circuit experiments laid the foundation for modern superconducting qubit-based quantum computing. He received a PhD from Paris University in 1982, and in 1984 and 1985 he and two colleagues showed quantum effects in an electric circuit. In 2002 he joined Yale as a professor, where he helped invent the transmon and fluxonium qubits. Together with John Clarke and John Martinis, he shared the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics. As of October 2026, he is chief scientist at Google Quantum AI and a professor at UC Santa Barbara.
Timeline
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1982
A doctorate at CEA Saclay
He works on nuclear magnetic resonance in solid hydrogen at CEA Saclay and receives his PhD from Paris University in 1982.
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1984–1985
Quantum effects in a circuit
In 1984 and 1985 he, John Clarke and John Martinis demonstrate quantum mechanical properties on a macroscopic scale in an electric circuit.
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1995–2002
Director of research at Saclay
In 1995 he is promoted to director of research at CEA Saclay.
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2002–2024
Transmon and fluxonium qubits
In 2002 he joins Yale as a professor, where he helps invent the transmon and fluxonium superconducting qubits.
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2022–2023
Part-time advisor, then chief scientist
In 2022 he becomes a part-time advisor at Google Quantum AI, and in 2023 he is named its chief scientist.
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2024
A move to Santa Barbara
In 2024 he moves to the University of California, Santa Barbara, as a professor of physics.
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2025
A shared Nobel Prize in Physics
He shares the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics with John Clarke and John Martinis, for work on macroscopic quantum effects that laid the foundation for modern superconducting qubit-based quantum computing.
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As of October 2026
Chief scientist at Google Quantum AI
He is chief scientist at Google Quantum AI and a professor at UC Santa Barbara.
Sources and credits
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