Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have made remarkable strides by developing cutting-edge technology for data storage using diamonds, with the potential of preserving information for millions of years.
Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China have set a new record for diamond storage density, achieving 1.85 terabytes per cubic centimeter.
Diamond storage technology is an innovative approach to long-term data storage using synthetic diamonds as the storage medium. This emerging technology offers significant advantages in terms of durability, longevity, and data density. Here’s an overview:
What is Diamond Storage Technology?
Medium: Synthetic diamonds are used because they are incredibly durable, resistant to environmental degradation, and capable of storing vast amounts of data.
Mechanism: Data is encoded in the diamond structure using precise laser pulses or ion implantation techniques. These methods create alterations in the crystal lattice, which can be read back using specialized devices.
Common laser-based techniques for engraving/flipping informational bits usually bump against what’s known as the diffraction limit, or the minimum area a laser beam can be focused to. This is part of the reason why Blu-Ray technology does, in fact, use blue laser technology: Blue light has a shorter wavelength than does red, so more bits of information can be written in the same space. Since blue strands are finer, you can print four of them in the same space you would need for two red strands — automatically increasing storage density per area.
Key Advantages
- Durability:
- Diamonds are highly resistant to physical damage, heat, and radiation.
- They can withstand extreme environmental conditions, making them ideal for archival storage.
- Longevity:
- Diamonds do not degrade over time like magnetic tapes or flash drives.
- Storage could potentially last for thousands or even millions of years.
- Data Density:
- High density enables the storage of vast amounts of data in a small physical volume.
- Some reports suggest the possibility of terabytes or petabytes of data in a single diamond crystal.
- Energy Efficiency:
- No active power is required to maintain the integrity of the data, unlike some traditional storage methods.
Applications
- Archival Storage:
- Suitable for preserving critical information, such as scientific data, cultural artifacts, or historical records.
- Space Exploration:
- Ideal for space missions where storage must endure extreme conditions.
- Secure Storage:
- Used for data requiring high levels of security and durability, such as governmental or financial records.
Their innovation opens up the possibility of achieving unprecedented storage density—1.85 terabytes per cubic centimeter—surpassing even the most advanced hard disk drives currently available.
Terabit-scale high-fidelity diamond data storage | Nature Photonics