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Microholography Could Lead to 500 GB Discs

Posted by Zonk on from the what-a-great-word dept.

angrykeyboarder writes "Scientists have discovered a way to fit 500 GB of data onto DVD-sized discs. These discs would be created with a process called 'microholography, which combines multilayer storage of data with holographic imagery. From the article: 'Microholography allows data to be stored in three dimensions. The technology works by replacing the two-dimensional pit-land structures currently found on CDs and DVDs with microgratings, which are holographically induced using two laser beams. In other words, instead of recording to a series of bumps and pits like standard CDs, the new technology creates three-dimensional holographic grids that can be used for reading and writing data throughout the physical structure of the disc.'"

6 of 158 comments (clear)

  1. What do you suppose would happen... by HydroPhonic · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... if you scratch one of these? :-

  2. Not again. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Please no. Can someone tell them to stop working on CDs already? Seriously, HD-DVD is no more than a smaller vinyl. We've got the same technology for over 100 years and they're still trying to "improve" it?
    Can someone already remove all the moving (spinning) parts of my laptop? I really do not see the point of including 3 different motors in a XXI century technology.

    1. Re:Not again. by UCSCTek · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The fact that moving parts reduce cost by exploiting symmetry is hard to beat. Either you have one/several reader/writer that can move around to access the bits => cheaper, or you hardwire billions into the storage media => more stable.

    2. Re:Not again. by ozbird · · Score: 5, Funny

      They won't be happy until you lose a Library Of Congress in one scratch.

  3. Good point by Uruz+7 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    He has a good point. The tech seems cool and all especially for long term storage but solid state is the real future. Battery life is still pretty poor for most devices and many people are moving away from the desktop. I personally don't own a desktop anymore and just hook my laptop up to a keyboard, monitor, and mouse when at home or work. I foresee the desktop dying except for hardcore gamers and servers. If I'm correct then spinning media doesn't make sense. Motors drain battery life and increase latency while throwing in a mechanical cog that can fail.

  4. Next steps by OpenSourced · · Score: 5, Funny

    Good! Now let's make two incompatible standards out of it, start a formats war, and sell the same old films to the same old people again, in both formats if possible.

    --
    Rome taught me patience and assiduous application to detail. Virtues which temper the boldness of great, general views.