scubavol:
re: "Could we stipulate that the inventor of the quantum computer would prima facie win the Nobel Prize?"
Almost certainly.
Remember that Einstein won his Nobel prize in 1921 for work he did in 1905. It often takes many years for work performed to be recognized with the prize.

Gold is $1,581/oz today. When it hits $2,000, it will be up 26.5%. Let's see how long that takes. - De 3/11/2013 - ANSWER: 7 Years, 5 Months