The density of data on hard-disk drives has doubled every three years since they were invented in 1955. Today’s hard disks pack 500 gigabits on a square inch (6.45 square centimeters). But magnetic disk recording as it is done now will run out of steam in just one more doubling, at 1 terabit. Engineers at Seagate Technology’s research arm, in Pittsburgh, have built a prototype heat-assisted magnetic recording scheme, which has the potential to allow up to 50 Tb per square inch. (source: spectrum.ieee.org)
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