Holographic storage close to commercial reality

Prototypes of holographic storing media appeared at the beginning if this year, when Inphase Technologies launched the first example of an optical device of this type. The model represents the foundation of a series called Tapestry, whose products will allow the writing of 200 GB to 1.6 TB (terra-bytes) on one disc.

This technology is based on a WORM polymer developed by Inphase. Hitachi has announced that in a short time it will start production of these 130 mm holographic discs for the InPhase systems, and this duo will start being commercialized from next year.

The specifications of these storing systems will allow 200 GB of data to be saved, and the next generation of discs, which will be ready by 2007, allows the storing of 400GB of data. InPhase systems have different dimensions than the ones produced by Optware, which use 120 mm discs and will be launched next year.

Next week, Las Vegas will be the witness of the newest developments in the holographic media domain because InPhase promises to make the demonstration of its first prototype of this type.

Tapestry HSD5000, the product announced by InPhase in January, will be in the center of attention, offering a storing capacity of 300 GB and transfer rate of 20 MBps. For now, the technology allows only the write-once mode, or WORM. The access time of this drive is 200 milliseconds, and the system will be available from 2006.

The material recording the information has 1.5 mm thickness and is sandwiched between two conductive plastic sub layers having 130 mm in diameter. Hitachi Maxell built the case that protects this recording material which is sensitive to light.