Researchers in China have unveiled an optical disc that could revolutionize data storage, boasting a staggering capacity of up to 200 terabytes within the dimensions of a standard DVD. This breakthrough, reported by IEEE Spectrum, is achieved by employing three-dimensional data storage techniques, allowing data to be stored across 100 layers of the disc.
The key to this groundbreaking innovation lies in the meticulous arrangement of data in dots measuring a mere 54 nanometers wide, corresponding to around a tenth of the wavelength of visible light utilized for reading and writing. This advancement overcomes previous limitations imposed by the size of light wavelengths, paving the way for unprecedented data density.
With a capacity of 1.6 million gigabits, equivalent to 4000 times the data density of a Blu-ray disc or 21 times that of modern hard drives, the potential applications of this technology are vast. Professor Min Gu of Shanghai Science and Technology University envisions its implementation in large data centers, where it could dramatically reduce space requirements, shrinking a data center capable of housing one billion gigabits from stadium-sized proportions to that of a room.
The development of this optical disc was no small feat, requiring a decade-long search for a suitable light-sensitive material capable of supporting the intricate writing and reading processes necessary for three-dimensional data storage. The researchers settled on AIE-DDPR, a novel material that exhibits unique responses to different wavelengths of light.
While the initial focus is on data center applications, the researchers are optimistic about the disc’s commercial potential, given its compatibility with existing DVD mass production processes. With production times as short as 6 minutes per disc, the technology holds promise for widespread adoption in both enterprise and consumer markets. Published in the journal Nature, these findings mark a significant milestone in the evolution of data storage technology.
