Researchers at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Lab have developed a new type of optical memory that stores data by transferring light from rare-earth element.
Why it matters: In the new digital age, CDs and DVDs have become relics, replaced by the popularity of streaming and cloud storage. However, scientists think they may have found a way to bring optical disc storage roaring back – with a massive upgrade that massively increases data density.
Researchers at the University of Chicago and Argonne National Lab have developed a new type of optical memory that stores data by transferring light from rare-earth element atoms embedded in a solid material to nearby quantum defects. They published their study in Physical Review Research.
The problem that the researchers aim to solve is the diffraction limit of light in standard CDs and DVDs.
