Optera Data seeks to replace LTO tapes with an archival disk solution that is ten times more cost-effective than the competition.
Optera Data faces intense competition from other storage methods.
A group of researchers led by Dr. Nicolas Riesen from the University of South Australia has developed an innovative optical storage technology that promises to significantly reduce archiving costs, achieving a decrease of up to ten times compared to current optical solutions. This breakthrough has garnered attention in the data storage field, particularly in data centers.
The technique employs the manipulation of fluorescence at specific wavelengths within recording areas, thus allowing multiple bits to be stored, similar to NAND flash technology. Through a process that selectively alters the fluorescence properties of nanoparticles in the recording medium, laser energies are used to create “spectral holes” where light emission decreases. This modification in light emission enables information to be encoded at several levels, facilitating dense storage.
The nanoparticles, composed of hexagonal silicon carbide (SiC) crystals doped with vanadium, respond to laser exposure in such a way that their light emission characteristics are altered, which can be diagnosed during the data reading process.
Optera Data, a startup founded by entrepreneur Geoff Macleod-Smith, is in the process of commercializing this technology. The company aims to develop optical discs that offer high-density archival storage, focusing on offline security and long-term data preservation. Data writing will involve adjusting lasers to establish spectral frequencies, while reading will be based on detecting fluorescence patterns.
A report available on the Optera Data website predicts that total storage capacity shipments will quintuple between 2024 and 2029, with a significant portion of this data stored in secondary or archival solutions. The expanding market consists of traditional hard drives, tapes, and other emerging optical solutions, where longevity and energy efficiency are key factors.
The company claims that, in its final development, the technology could achieve a total cost of ownership reaching $1 per terabyte, considerably lower than the projected costs of other storage solutions. Optera Data plans to manufacture 1TB discs in the short term, with the ambitious goal of reaching 10TB for $1 by the end of the decade. This price would make it significantly more accessible than current solutions from companies like Cerabyte and could even surpass magnetic storage, which is expected to fall below $2.50 per terabyte by 2029.
Unlike hard drives, which require continuous energy, and magnetic tapes that rely on specialized library systems, Optera Data's approach could be easily integrated with existing optical disc formats. This compatibility would facilitate the adoption of the technology in data centers, where reducing energy consumption and storage costs are currently crucial priorities.
The success of this new technology will depend on its ability to meet storage density requirements and compete with other evolving alternatives, such as synthetic DNA storage, which offers long-term stability, though it still has a way to go before widespread implementation.
