Apr 27, 2009 09:31 ET
GE Breakthrough Validates Technology to Enable 500-Gigabyte Disc
GE's Micro-Holographic Discs will have 20 times the storage
capacity of a standard Blu-ray disc and be read with systems similar to
today’s Blu-ray and DVD Players
NISKAYUNA, N.Y. --(Business Wire)-- Apr 27, 2009
GE Global Research, the technology development arm of the General
Electric Company (NYSE: GE), today announced a major breakthrough in the
development of next generation optical storage technology. GE
researchers have successfully demonstrated a threshold micro-holographic
storage material that can support 500 gigabytes of storage capacity in a
standard DVD-size disc. This is equal to the capacity of 20 single-layer
Blu-ray discs, 100 DVDs or the hard drive for a large desktop computer.
GE’s micro-holographic discs will be able to be read and recorded on
systems very similar to a typical Blu-ray or DVD player. Holographic
storage is different from today’s optical storage formats like DVDs and
Blu-ray discs. DVDs and Blu-ray discs store information only on the
surface of the disc; holographic storage technology uses the entire
volume of the disc material. Holograms, or three-dimensional patterns
that represent bits of information, are written into the disc and can
then be read out. Although GE’s holographic storage technology
represents a breakthrough in capacity, the hardware and formats are so
similar to current optical storage technology that the micro-holographic
players will enable consumers to play back their CDs, DVDs and BDs.
The GE team successfully recorded micro-holographic marks approaching
one percent reflectivity with a diameter of approximately one micron.
When using standard DVD or Blu-ray disc optics, the scaled down marks
will have sufficient reflectivity to enable over 500 GB of total
capacity in a CD-size disc.
“GE’s breakthrough is a huge step toward bringing our next generation
holographic storage technology to the everyday consumer,” said Brian
Lawrence, who leads GE’s Holographic Storage program. “Because GE’s
micro-holographic discs could essentially be read and played using
similar optics to those found in standard Blu-ray players, our
technology will pave the way for cost-effective, robust and reliable
holographic drives that could be in every home. The day when you can
store your entire high definition movie collection on one disc and
support high resolution formats like 3-D television is closer than you
think.”
GE has been working on holographic storage technology for over six
years. The demonstration of materials that can support 500 gigabytes of
capacity represents a major milestone in making micro-holographic discs
that ultimately can store more than one terabyte, or 1,000 gigabytes of
data. In addition to pushing the limits of storage capacity, GE
researchers also have been very focused on making the technology easily
adaptable to existing optical storage formats and manufacturing
techniques.
“GE’s holographic storage program has turned the corner, and with this
milestone we can now intensify our efforts in commercialization
opportunities,” said Bill Kernick, who leads GE’s Technology Ventures
team. “We’ll continue to engage with a variety of strategic partners to
create the best route from product development to introduction into the
marketplace.”
GE initially will be focusing on the commercial archival industry
followed by the consumer market for its micro-holographic storage
technology.
About GE Global Research
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial
research labs, providing innovative technology for all of GE's
businesses. Global Research has been the cornerstone of GE technology
for more than 100 years, developing breakthrough innovations in areas
such as medical imaging, energy generation technology, jet engines and
lighting. GE Global Research is headquartered in Niskayuna, New York and
has facilities in Bangalore, India, Shanghai, China and Munich, Germany.
Visit GE Global Research at www.ge.com/research.
About GE Technology Ventures
GE Technology Ventures, a component of Corporate Finance, drives the
technology commercialization and business development of licensing
portfolios for GE. With close ties to GE Global Research, Technology
Ventures supports the protection, development and marketing of GE’s
Intellectual Property on a global level, offering a dynamic combination
of investing, licensing, industry and technical expertise.
About GE:
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company
that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water,
transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves
customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000
people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com.
GE is Imagination at Work.
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GE
Media Relations
Todd Alhart, 518-387-7914
alhart@research.ge.com