99.9999% pure: US scientists create ultra-clean silicon for next-gen quantum chips

US Department of Energy labs at Oak Ridge and Pacific Northwest developed a domestic process to produce ultra-pure silicon and germanium precursors for quantum computing.

The materials include silicon-28 at 99.9999% purity and extremely low levels of noise-causing isotopes, which can help reduce qubit decoherence.

Longer qubit coherence could improve the performance and reliability of future quantum chips.

The breakthrough also strengthens a U.S.-based supply chain for next-generation quantum technologies.