Laser pulses turn glass into super-dense data store, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Microsoft researchers developed a method to store data in a 2-mm-thick glass plate using short laser pulses.
• The technique creates 3D pixels in hundreds of layers within the glass.
• A 120 mm x 120 mm plate can hold 4.8 TB of data.
• The borosilicate glass is projected to be stable for 10 millennia.
• Data is read using microscopes and machine-learning.

Detailed Insights:

• This data storage method uses femtosecond lasers to create permanent, nanostructured gratings within the glass.
• Each pixel, or voxel, can represent multiple bits of information, increasing storage density.
• Borosilicate glass offers high thermal and chemical resistance, ensuring long-term data preservation.
• The use of machine learning algorithms enhances the speed and accuracy of data retrieval from the glass.
• This technology could provide a solution for archival storage, addressing the growing need for long-lasting data preservation.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Femtosecond Lasers: Lasers that emit extremely short pulses of light, measured in femtoseconds (10^-15 seconds).
• Voxel: A volumetric pixel, representing a value on a regular grid in three-dimensional space.
• Borosilicate Glass: A type of glass with silica and boron trioxide as the main glass-forming constituents, known for its high resistance to thermal shock.