GE's holographic storage material records at Blu-ray speeds
updated 12:10 am EDT, Thu July 21, 2011
Tech said to fit 20 Blu-rays on single disc
GE has reportedly achieved a significant breakthrough in its Holographic Data Storage project. Researchers claim to have successfully demonstrated a micro-holographic material that is capable of supporting data transfer rates at the same speed as Blu-ray discs. The tech is said to step closer to the goal of storing the equivalent of 20 Blu-ray discs onto a single DVD-size disc.
The company suggests the technology must meet certain reflectivity and material sensitivity standards to be viable for commercial deployment. Researchers must also find effective methods for materials handling and processing into the disc form-factor for mass production.
Overall storage capacity on any given disc is said to be related to reflectivity, while material sensitivity serves as the basis for data recording speeds. The latest breakthrough reportedly represents a 100-fold enhancement in sensitivity from the performance levels achieved in 2009. Data access and transfer rates are now said to be faster than traditional optical storage.
GE has yet to announce a time-frame for bringing its holographic storage technology to the market.
