Data Backup Digest

Researchers within the field of IT development are always on the lookout for the latest and greatest innovations regarding data storage in consumer and enterprise-level electronics. While the majority of the industry has focused heavily on solid state storage, some top researchers from the University of California and the Russian Academy of Science have been hard at work exploring the feasibility of magnonic holographic data storage.

Although it may seem like something straight out of a science fiction novel, the team of top researchers has pioneered the concept through a series of initial experiments involving 2-bit magnonic holographic memory. Effectively merging the benefits of magnetic storage with wave-based transfer capabilities, the experiment allows developers to apply fundamentals of holography in order to create and store digital data. Recorded and distributed via detailed graphs and charts, as well as through a detailed whitepaper, the experiments illustrate the process of storing data via holographic means.

How it Works

When using a pair of magnets in place of internal memory infrastructure, each if which was positioned in a different location on the magnetic waveguides, researchers were able to facilitate spin wave interference in order to produce a clear picture of the magnets' current state. In order to minimize atmospheric interference, the initial experiments were executed at an average room temperature.

Alexander Khitun, one of the group's lead researchers from the University of California - Riverside Bourns College of Engineering, expressed his excitement about the initial experiments. "The results open a new field of research, which may have tremendous impact on the development of new logic and memory devices."

This isn't a concept that was born overnight. Khitun himself has invested over nine years to spin wave research. During this time, Khitun was able to develop a logic device that exploits these spin waves. Although the initial goal for the logic device was to replace the existing electronic circuits within a computer, the device would prove to be a crucial component to holographic storage.

Instead of replacing the electronic circuits entirely, Khitun soon realized that his logic device could be used in conjunction with the electronic circuits in order to provide support and increase performance. Khitun cited several instances where magnonic holographic storage may be useful, including general data processing and image / speech recognition.

The Evolution of Holography

First used in the 1940s, holographs were originally designed for use in the field of electron microscopy. A number of other fields have used holographs and holograms successfully, including seismic analysis tools and radar defense systems. Most consumers are familiar with holograms that appear on credit cards, identification cards and some forms of currency.

In Conclusion

There is still a lot of research to be completed in the area of holographic storage, but Alexander Khitun's magnonic holographic memory prototype is living proof of the theory in action. A long road of research and development remains in order to turn the concept of holographic memory into a consumer product, but the technology has the ability to boost storage capacity and processing speeds to unprecedented levels.