Recording and Reading  

Mempile’s TeraDisc solution uses photochemical data storage and two-photon processes to record and read. Here is a brief overview of how the technology works:

A special disc developed by Mempile contains light sensitive molecules ( chromophores ) capable of switching between two distinct states upon the application of focused light at a suitable wavelength and intensity.

When a laser is focused inside the material, the light beam causes a change in molecular state (isomerization) of the data storage chromophores at that specific point. The process is nonlinear, operating only at the focal point of the laser and without being interfered with by absorption or reflection from the surrounding media. This provides for true three-dimensional accessing of small volumes within the material, allowing the recording of data bits selectively within the bulk of the material in multiple layers.

Reading is performed in a similar way. Lower intensity light is used to excite the chromophores in such a way that they emit light rather than switch state. The amount of light emitted is different for "written" and "unwritten" molecules, allowing this process to be used as a reading mechanism.

Finally, the three-dimensional nature of the TeraDisc , combined with the fact that data is written in virtual layers, necessitated the development of a novel tracking algorithms allowing for the reliable navigation of this vast quantity of data in three dimensions. Mempile has already demonstrated the ability to record on 100 virtual layers of a 0.6 mm substrate.