Feature

Near-Field Magneto-Optics and High Density Storage

E. Betzig, J. K. Trautman, R. Wolfe, E. M. Gyorgy, P. L. Finn, N.J., and M. H. Kryder and C.-H. Chang

We have demonstrated a new read/write data storage technique capable of recording up to 45 billion bits of information per square inch of media, or 100 times more than in current compact disks and 300 times more than in state-of-the-art magnetic hard drives. At this density, a palm sized disk could record up to 17 hours of compressed HDTV programming. Alternatively, two copies of War and Peace could be stored in an area about the size of the head of a pin.

Publish Date: 01 December 1992