A new laser writing process has been developed to secure data in an optical 5D glass storage, with the aim of making the data readable even after 13.8 billion years. Yuhao Lei, a doctoral student at the University of Southampton, explains that individuals and organizations generate increasingly larger amounts of data, leading to a need for more efficient forms of data storage with high capacity, low energy consumption, and long lifespan. Current cloud-based systems are not sufficient for permanent data storage, particularly for national archives, libraries, museums, and private organizations that require long-term data preservation. Optical 5D storage could be the solution, with data density 10,000 times higher than a Blu-Ray disc. However, the low writing speed of such storage elements has been a challenge. The team led by Lei has developed a technology that significantly accelerates the writing process on glass plates, without compromising data durability. The new energy-efficient and fast laser writing process enables high-density nanostructures to be written in quartz glass, using three layers of nanoscale dots in a glass plate. The writing speed is 1,000,000 voxels per second, equivalent to about 230 KBytes of data, allowing more than 100 pages of text to be saved per second. The 5D glass storage is expected to withstand short-term heating up to 1,000 degrees Celsius and offer a lifespan of 13.8 billion years.
The new approach improves the data writing speed to a practical level, enabling the storage of terabytes of data, such as information from a person’s DNA, according to project leader Peter Kazansky. The researchers aim to further increase the writing speed and make the technology usable outside the laboratory. The development of efficient and long-lasting data storage is crucial for the preservation of valuable information for future generations. The optical 5D glass storage could be a game-changer in this regard, offering a high-capacity and durable solution for permanent data storage. The technology could also have applications in various fields, such as healthcare, finance, and education, where large amounts of data need to be stored securely and for a long time. The development of such innovative technologies highlights the importance of research and innovation in addressing societal challenges and advancing human knowledge.
