PNNL Develops High-Purity Gases for U.S. Quantum Tech

Research team designs and builds gas conversion and purification systems for silane and germane, key materials for quantum computing and semiconductors.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A research team at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has successfully designed and built high-purity gas conversion and purification systems for silane and germane, two gases essential for U.S. research and development in quantum information science and other advanced technology areas. This work, supported by DOE's Office of Isotope R&D and Production, is a significant milestone toward developing a domestic pathway for these critical materials.

Why it matters

Silane and germane are crucial feedstock materials for the semiconductor industry, used to deposit thin films of silicon and germanium for advanced computing chips and quantum technology. Developing a domestic supply chain for these high-purity gases is important for U.S. leadership in quantum computing and other cutting-edge industries.

The details

The PNNL team has developed automated control systems to monitor hundreds of process variables and maintain the isotopic purity of the silane and germane products. This builds on PNNL's previous work enriching other gases like argon and chlorine using thermal diffusion isotope separation (TDIS) technologies. Additional research is still required to fully optimize the TDIS systems for silane and germane.

  • The research work was conducted under the direction of DOE's Office of Isotope R&D and Production (IRP).
  • PNNL has previously developed TDIS systems for enriching argon and chlorine.

The players

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

A U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in Richland, Washington, focused on advancing scientific discovery and technological innovation.

Department of Energy Office of Isotope R&D and Production

A DOE program that supports research and development of isotope production capabilities for critical materials used in advanced technologies.

Mike Powell

The principal investigator leading the PNNL project to develop high-purity silane and germane gases.

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What they’re saying

“Isotopic dilution of enriched silicon is a challenging problem, but we carefully designed our systems and handling procedures to maintain the starting feedstock isotopic purity through to the final silane and germane products.”

— Mike Powell, Project Principal Investigator (Mirage News)

What’s next

PNNL continues research to further isotopically enrich silane and germane using enhanced thermal diffusion isotope separation (TDIS) technologies.

The takeaway

PNNL's development of high-purity silane and germane gases is a critical step in establishing a domestic supply chain for the materials needed to advance quantum computing and other cutting-edge semiconductor technologies in the United States.