12TB DVDs Could Be On The Way [Storage]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/FvHrtUFpiOo/12tb-dvds-could-be-on-the-way

A storage density of 51MB per square centimeter? Whatever, standard DVDs. Australian scientists developed a new multilayer optical storage medium that can house data at 1.1TB/cm3.

Unlike existing DVD technology, the key to this data storage technique is the fact that multiple pieces of data can be stored in exactly the same location—up to ten layers deep. Each layer is filled with gold nanorods that are conditioned to respond only to particular types of light. When the storage medium is illuminated by a laser of a specific color and polarization, only the right nanorods are activated and read.

Though this is a giant step towards more effective data storage, scientists have yet to demonstrate this technique on a rotating disc. In addition, they predict that it will be a write once, read forever medium. [Ars Technica]