New Optical Archive Technology Optera Aims for Terabyte Scale Glass Storage
A research team from the University of South Australia is in the process of developing a new long-term data storage technology called the Optera optical archive. The project uses photoluminescence to record data onto glass, a contrasting method of operation with respect to laser-etching techniques for other glass storage concepts. The team has already constructed an experimental 500 GB glass storage device and aims for a 2026 launch.
How Optera Technology Works
The Optera works in a different manner compared to the other glass archives. It works at room temperature with low-cost lasers and therefore does not require the sophisticated systems of femtosecond laser systems.
- Storage Medium: This technology uses a phosphorus-based material doped with samarium ions (Ba₀.₅Sr₀.₅FX:Sm²⁺), a compound that has long been used in medical radiography.
- Recording Method: Data is recorded using the "spectral hole burning" technique. A laser modifies the response of very narrow spectral regions within the material. Upon retrieval, depending on whether light is emitted or not, a signal will exist or not; in the absence of a signal, a logic zero will be declared, and in support of a signal, a logic one will be declared.
- Non-Destructive: This does not physically affect the storage medium in any shape or form, thereby increasing the theoretical lifespan of the storage medium. The reliability of the system, however, is based on highly precise optics and stable reading capabilities, and these have yet to be independently validated.
Potential for Increased Storage Density
According to the developers, Optera technology permits multi-level recording. That is to say, data can be encoded not only in terms of presence or absence of light but also by its intensity, as in SLC, MLC, and TLC technologies in NAND flash memory. This concept may provide tremendous enhancement over time in storage density.
The project has laid its own timeline targets:
- 1 TB capacity by 2027
- Several terabytes on one device by 2030
Unanswered Questions
Even if the technology looks promising, quite a few key performance parameters are still under test. Some of the paramount questions for the practical application are how fast it will actually write and read in real terms, how durable it will be with repeated access, and its final costs of production.
