Researchers develop ‘Superman memory crystal’ that could store 360TB of data forever

[HiFlyer]

Kind of interesting stuff!

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/223144-researchers-develop-superman-memory-crystal-that-could-store-360tb-of-data

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Researchers at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Center have developed a new form of data storage that could potentially survive for billions of years. The research consists of nanostructured glass that can record digital data in five dimensions using femtosecond laser writing.

The crystal storage contains 360TB per disc and is stable at up to 1,000 degrees celsius. You record data using an ultra-fast laser that produces short and intense pulses of light — on the order of one quadrillionth of a second each — and it writes the file in fused quartz, in three layers of nanostructured dots separated by five micrometers.

Reading the data back requires pulsing the laser again, and recording the polarization of the waves with an optical microscope and polarizer. The five dimensions consist of the size and orientation in addition to the three-dimensional position of the nanostructures.

The group coined the storage the “Superman memory crystal” after the crystals found in the Superman films. 

 

 

Edited February 19, 2016 by HiFlyer

[AeroPictor]

Nice technology. It will work as long the reader system will be available … a storage for ever ? 

[LPNils]

Sounds good. Very good.