November 2, 2024

Beyond the Limit: Chinese Scientists Have Broken the Optical Diffraction Limit Barrier

Simultaneously, a breakthrough in conquering the optical diffraction limitation by Professor Min Gus team enabled a 3D optical disk memory with extraordinary petabit capability, marking a significant leap in data storage technology. They just recently released their most current research study achievement, titled “A 3D nanoscale optical disk memory with petabit capability,” in Nature.For the very first time, researchers have demonstrated that optical information storage capability can reach the petabit (Pb) level by extending the planar recording architecture to 3 measurements with hundreds of layers, therefore breaking the optical diffraction limitation barrier of the recorded areas. The three-dimensional nanoscale optical disk memory innovation released in Nature successfully breaks the diffraction-limited barrier for optical writing and reading, ushering in a new age for the digital economy of huge data.Reference: “A 3D nanoscale optical disk memory with petabit capability” by Miao Zhao, Jing Wen, Qiao Hu, Xunbin Wei, Yu-Wu Zhong, Hao Ruan and Min Gu, 21 February 2024, Nature.DOI: 10.1038/ s41586-023-06980-y.

In 2023, AI LLM and ChatGPT were the leading buzzwords, reflecting the developing interaction between AI and big data. Simultaneously, a development in getting rid of the optical diffraction limitation by Professor Min Gus group enabled a 3D optical disk memory with extraordinary petabit capability, marking a significant leap in data storage technology. Credit: University of Shanghai for Science and TechnologyThe most popular words of 2023 were recently launched, with AI Large Language Model (LLM) undoubtedly topping the list. As a frontrunner, ChatGPT also became among the global buzzwords of the year. These disruptive innovations in AI owe much to big information, which has actually played an essential function. AI has actually at the same time presented brand-new opportunities and difficulties to the development of big data.High-capacity data storage is indispensable in todays digital economy. Major storage devices like tough disk drives and semiconductor flash gadgets deal with restrictions in terms of cost-effectiveness, longevity, and toughness. Optical data storage offers a promising green solution for long-term and cost-effective information storage. Nevertheless, optical information storage experiences an essential restriction in the spacing of nearby taped functions, owing to the optical diffraction limit. This physical restraint not only impedes the additional advancement of direct laser writing makers but likewise impacts optical microscopy and storage technology.Breaking the BarrierBreaking the diffraction-limited barrier ranks as the primary challenge in the field of physics, according to the 125 advanced scientific problems released by Science in 2021. It is likewise amongst the 7 technology advancements predicted by Nature for 2024 and beyond.A multidisciplinary group led by Professor Min Gu at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST) and the Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics (SIOM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, has effectively conquered this challenge. They just recently released their newest research accomplishment, entitled “A 3D nanoscale optical disk memory with petabit capability,” in Nature.For the very first time, researchers have demonstrated that optical data storage capability can reach the petabit (Pb) level by extending the planar recording architecture to three measurements with hundreds of layers, therefore breaking the optical diffraction limit barrier of the recorded areas. The storage capability within the area of a DVD-sized disc can reach up to Pb level, equivalent to a minimum of 10,000 Blu-ray discs or 100 high-capacity hard disk drives. The matching authors of the paper are Professor Min Gu, Director of the Institute of Photonic Chips, Professor Jing Wen at USST, and Professor Hao Ruan at SIOM. Dr. Miao Zhao, a postdoctoral fellow at SIOM, and Professor Jing Wen from USST are both listed as co-first authors.Revolutionary Storage SolutionThe groundbreaking innovation of three-dimensional nanoscale optical disk memory with petabit capacity is advanced. The dataset behind GPT, which consists of 5.8 billion indexed websites and inhabits about 56Pb of text, would normally require a play ground location of hard disk drives for storage. Nevertheless, the three-dimensional nanoscale optical disk memory can shrink this area to the size of a home computer, considerably minimizing expenses. The energy consumption of nanoscale optical disk memory is several orders of magnitude lower than conventional approaches, and its lifespan can reach up to 50-100 years.In 2013, Professor Min Gu and his research group attained 9-nanometer direct laser writing technology based on dual-beam writing. German scientist Professor Stefan W. Hell won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the invention of dual-beam super-resolution microscopic imaging innovation. The three-dimensional nanoscale optical disk memory technology released in Nature effectively breaks the diffraction-limited barrier for optical writing and reading, introducing a new age for the digital economy of huge data.Reference: “A 3D nanoscale optical disk memory with petabit capacity” by Miao Zhao, Jing Wen, Qiao Hu, Xunbin Wei, Yu-Wu Zhong, Hao Ruan and Min Gu, 21 February 2024, Nature.DOI: 10.1038/ s41586-023-06980-y.