popular science When it comes to encoding data, they point out, “optical discs almost always offer just a single 2D layer: a reflective silver backside.”
“But if you can increase the number of encodeable layers available on disk, you could potentially gain a huge amount of additional space…”
Researchers at Shanghai University of Science and Technology recently set out to do just that, and published their results in an academic journal earlier this week. Nature. Using a 54-nanometer laser, the researchers were able to record 100 layers of data onto an optical disk, with each layer just 1 micrometer apart. The end result is an optical disc with his three-dimensional stack of data layers that can hold a staggering 1 petabit (Pb) of information. This equates to 125,000 gigabytes of data.
as gizmodo For reference, you would need a stack of HHD drives about 6.5 feet tall to get the same petabits of information. Encoding the same amount of data to Blu-ray would require approximately 10,000 empty drives. (very inefficient) to complete the challenge.
To achieve this feat, engineers had to create an entirely new material for optical disc films… AIE-DDPR films are a combination of special photosensitive molecules that can absorb photonic data at the nanoscale level. This data is then processed using a high-tech dual laser array. AIE-DDPR is highly transparent, allowing designers to apply layer upon layer to optical discs without worrying about overall data degradation. This essentially created a 3D “box” for digitized information, dramatically increasing the capacity of regular-sized disks.
Thanks to longtime Slashdot reader hackingbear for sharing the news.