The University of Southampton has created a digital data storage that will last billions of years from now.
Scientists at the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) initially developed 5D optical data in 2013. It was an unprecedented step until they're completely sure of the creation. Claiming that digital storage could survive the human race, the study was the first successful one to store a 300 kb file.
The 5D optical data is constructed in nano glass and can archive up to hundreds of terabytes per disc. Scientists developed the optical data because of the limited and conventional storage systems available such as flash and hard disks. These systems do not store a large amount of data and, after a few decades, could be damaged.
However, the 5D optical data is a DNA-based storage that has been lab-tested for its excellent durability. Using femtosecond laser writing process, its database can be recorded and retrieved anytime.
The international society for optics and photonics published an abstract of the submitted paper. Quoting the description, the storage has "virtually unlimited lifetime at room temperature' making it as 'new era of eternal data archiving."
The idea of this data storage process uses a system found in Polaroid sunglasses. Combining polarizer and optical microscope, the copies are recorded using intense pulse light that writes nanostructured dots in three layers. The encoded data uses 5D because it consists of height, depth, width, size and orientation.
The first document to be saved in the optical data is The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was demonstrated in Mexico in front of UNESCO at the International Year of Light closing ceremony. Following the important copy, Magna Carta, Newton Opticks and King James Bible have also entered the digital space.
The nanostructured glass has been said to resemble the Superman "memory crystal" as the superhero often uses hologram memories of his beloved from the previous planet.
