Three win Nobel for paving the way for very powerful computers

The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis for their work on quantum computing.

"There is no advanced technology used today that does not rely on quantum mechanics, including mobile phones, cameras...and fibre optic cables," said the Nobel committee.

The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences at a press conference in Stockholm, Sweden.

"To put it mildly, it was a surprise of my life," said Professor John Clarke, who was born in Britain and now works at the University of California in Berkeley.