ORNL develops 100× quieter isotopes for domestic quantum computing

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have achieved a breakthrough in stable isotope enrichment, producing silane and germane with at least 100 times less of the noise-inducing contaminants found in any commercially available material worldwide. The collaborative effort reduces concentrations of isotopes like Ge-73 and Si-29 to below 1 part per million, with Si-28 purity reaching 99.9999% in silane, a critical advancement for quantum computing stability. “This advancement has the potential to increase the operability of quantum computers and will help the U.S. be a leader in the quantum technology race,” said Darío Gil, DOE Under Secretary for Science. This milestone directly supports the goals of the Genesis Mission and reclaims domestic leadership in a field where the U.S. previously lacked scaled production since 1998.

ORNL EMIS Technology Enables Ultra-Enriched Germanium and Silicon

The ability to manipulate isotopes at a large scale is now a reality, as the Department of Energy (DOE) has revealed a breakthrough in domestic silicon and germanium enrichment, exceeding the capabilities of any commercial source globally. This achievement addresses a critical limitation in quantum computing, where even minute levels of isotopic noise can disrupt delicate quantum states. At the heart of this advancement is ORNL’s Electromagnetic Isotope Separation (EMIS) technology, a revitalized plasma-science-based system capable of simultaneously isolating and enriching multiple isotopes. Alan Tatum, ORNL Stable Isotope Portfolio Manager, said that research and development investments over the last decade have optimized the performance of these devices, and their versatility and precision are unmatched. The EMIS process achieves Ge-73 levels below 1 part per million in germanium, a level of purity previously unavailable since the decommissioning of older enrichment facilities in 1998.

Complementing this is PNNL’s expertise in chemical conversion and purification, enabling the production of silane and germane gases with Si-28 purity reaching 99.9999%. PNNL’s systems not only refine the enriched materials but also employ Thermal Diffusion Isotopic Separation (TDIS) to directly enrich silane and germane gases, minimizing the risk of isotopic dilution. Mike Powell, the project Principal Investigator at PNNL, explained that isotopic dilution of enriched silicon is a challenging problem, but their systems and handling procedures were carefully designed to maintain the starting feedstock isotopic purity through to the final silane and germane products. Christopher Landers, Director of IRP, emphasized the significance of this combined effort, stating that with these capabilities at ORNL, and the complementary capabilities at PNNL, IRP can supply unprecedented isotopic and chemical purities of silicon, germanium, and other isotopes in the physical forms needed for quantum research. Landers asserts that this isn’t merely an incremental improvement; it’s a foundational step toward realizing the full potential of quantum computing, and today, they have silenced that noise.

PNNL Advances Silane & Germane Gas Purification to Sub-PPM Levels

The demand for increasingly pure materials underpins advances in quantum information science, and current commercial sources of silane and germane, critical for fabricating quantum devices, have historically contained unacceptable levels of isotopic contaminants. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has now demonstrably surpassed these limitations, achieving purification levels below one part per million for unwanted isotopes like germanium-73 and silicon-29 within these gases. This breakthrough represents a significant leap toward stable, operable quantum computers, addressing a key bottleneck in the field. PNNL’s success stems from innovations in chemical conversion and purification, building upon enriched materials in other chemical forms. The laboratory developed highly efficient reaction systems allowing production of silane and germane gas, followed by purification processes that reduce contaminants to below 1 ppm.

The resurgence of domestic isotope production capability is now anchored at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where researchers are using plasma-science-based Electromagnetic Isotope Separation (EMIS) technology to revitalize a supply chain diminished since the 1998 decommissioning of Cold War-era calutrons. This advanced EMIS system doesn’t simply isolate isotopes; it simultaneously enriches multiple isotopes of a single element in a single production run, demonstrating a versatility unmatched by previous methods. Complementing ORNL’s enrichment efforts is the work at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where scientists have developed highly efficient systems for converting enriched materials into silane and germane gases, essential feedstocks for advanced computing chips and quantum devices. PNNL’s purification processes reduce unwanted contaminants in these gases to below 1 ppm, a level of refinement previously unattainable. This collaborative achievement isn’t merely about restoring production capacity; it’s about fundamentally improving the quality of materials available to quantum researchers, achieving 9999% purity for Si-28 within silane.

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