Glass Laser Encoding: A 10,000-Year Data Storage Revolution

Project Silica by Microsoft Research in Cambridge has developed a method to store data in glass using femtosecond lasers. This technique offers a potential solution for long-term data storage, overcoming limitations of current methods. The study suggests data could last 10,000 years, transforming data preservation.

In a groundbreaking development, Microsoft Research's Project Silica has unveiled a method to store vast quantities of data in glass, offering potential preservation for 10,000 years. By utilizing femtosecond lasers, this technique addresses the durability issues faced by conventional storage methods.

The technology encodes data within glass using voxels, which are capable of holding more than one bit of data each. This method contrasts sharply with current data preservation techniques like magnetic tapes and hard drives, which degrade over time.

A study published in Nature highlights Silica's potential as a substantial achievement in knowledge preservation, with the capacity to store the equivalent of two million books or 5,000 4K films. Despite some limitations in longevity predictions, the technology marks a crucial step forward in archival storage solutions.

(With inputs from agencies.)