Ignacio Cirac awarded 2026 Isaac Newton Medal for quantum physics research

Spanish quantum physicist Ignacio Cirac has been awarded the 2026 Isaac Newton Medal and Prize, Physics World reported. Cirac serves at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching, Germany. The Institute of Physics awarded him the honour for his contributions that founded modern quantum information science. [1]

The Institute of Physics stated that Cirac was recognised for uniting theoretical insight, experimental vision, and scientific leadership in quantum physics and technology. Born in Barcelona, Spain, in 1965, Cirac is known as a pioneer in quantum computing and quantum information theory, Physics World and Wikipedia noted. [1][3]

The Isaac Newton Medal and Prize is an annual gold medal presented by the Institute of Physics alongside a 1,000 pound prize. The award recognises world leading contributions to physics by an individual of any nationality, and the winner is invited to deliver a lecture at the institute. [1][2]

Cirac previously received the Wolf Prize in Physics in 2013, Wikipedia reported. His work helped establish the theoretical frameworks that connect physical systems with information processing, shaping the ongoing development of quantum technology worldwide. [1][3]