Mains Answer Writing - 23 Feb, 2026
GS3
Science & Technology
15 marks
Recent advances have enabled long-term data storage in glass using laser-based nanostructuring. Explain the working principle of glass-based data storage technology and examine its potential advantages and limitations compared to conventional magnetic and solid-state storage systems.
Tips for your answer
- Start with the principle (science first):
- Briefly explain femtosecond laser → nanostructures (voxels) in 3-D layers → read by microscope + ML. Keep it 3–4 lines, not physics-heavy.
- Compare with existing storage:
- Write a small table/points:
- HDD/SSD vs Glass → durability, density, energy need, lifespan, rewrite capability.
- End with application + limitation:
- Applications → archival records, governance data, heritage preservation, space missions.
- Limitations → cost, speed, scalability, read/write infrastructure.
- Finish with a future-tech concluding line.
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