Enterprises looking for reliable long-term data storage may soon find a promising solution: borosilicate glass. Microsoft researchers have announced that this new method of data encoding can store vast amounts of information—specifically, 4.8TB—within a compact 120mm square and just 2mm thick piece of borosilicate glass. Notably, this technology could ensure data integrity for at least 10,000 years.
The development utilizes femtosecond laser technology to create tiny three-dimensional structures known as voxels within the glass. The encoding methods include two approaches: birefringent voxels, which alter the polarization properties of the glass, and phase voxels, a novel approach that modifies the glass’ phase properties using a single laser pulse. Both methods benefit from increased writing speed, making this technology not only feasible but also cost-effective compared to previous iterations that required high-purity fused silica, which was expensive and limited in availability.
The implications are particularly significant in light of the rapidly growing digital data landscape, with experts noting that the global datasphere is set to double every three years. Traditional archival media, such as magnetic tape, face limitations due to their relative fragility and the need for regular data migration to prevent loss. For example, current LTO-10 magnetic tapes have a maximum shelf life of just 30 years. Meanwhile, the costs associated with maintaining legacy tape systems can be substantial, not only in terms of the media but also in the required infrastructure and operational overhead.
Microsoft’s Project Silica aims to provide a more sustainable and long-lasting alternative for data archiving, capable of reducing the risks tied to data degradation and ransomware attacks. Data stored in glass, as permanent optical modifications, cannot be easily overwritten, providing a layer of security against potential attacks.
The longevity of data storage in glass is supported by accelerated aging tests that indicate the voxels would hold up for millennia. However, for the glass to be a viable alternative in the market, it would need to complete with existing technologies on economic fronts, including total cost of ownership and operational models.
While Microsoft is still in the research phase and hasn’t detailed a commercialization roadmap, the potential of glass as a specialized medium for ultra-long retention looks promising. Experts believe it will likely serve as a niche solution rather than outright replacing traditional tape technologies, with its usefulness depending on specific business requirements.
For further details on this innovative technology, you can refer to the official research published in Nature.
