China mass-produces key quantum computing isotope, Beijing says

China has achieved mass production of a high-purity silicon-28 isotope, a critical material for quantum computing, according to state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). On Monday, CNNC announced that one of its research institutes successfully produced the isotope with an isotopic abundance above 99.99%, marking China's first independent large-scale production of the material. This breakthrough fills a long-standing gap in China's quantum technology supply chain, which previously relied on overseas players in Russia, Europe, and US-linked supply chains. Silicon-28 is a stable isotope that creates an "ultra-quiet" environment for qubits, which are notoriously fragile in natural silicon due to magnetic interference. By purifying this variant, scientists can extend qubit stability, essential for building functional quantum computers. The achievement aligns with China's push for self-reliance in advanced technology amid competition with the US.