TECH

Researchers create a DNA twin to store data

In conventional hard drives, the magnetic domains on the plates are considered two-dimensional structures – islands of magnetization. An international group of scientists presented a paper on the study of the magnetic properties of three-dimensional objects. The transition from conventionally flat magnetic fields for recording data to volumetric fields paves the way for a significant increase in recording density. We might be surprised what will replace hard drives.

The top image is an X-ray paired spiral, the bottom is a computer model.

The density of magnetic domains on HDD platters is approaching its limit. Neighboring islands of magnetization begin to influence each other and destroy magnetization (read – write data). To combat this, advanced HAMR and MAMR (localized heating and microwave exposure) technologies are used to overcome the coercive force and record data without losing magnetization. But everything has a limit, so alternatives are being sought in parallel, one of which is aimed at developing the so-called track or running memory.

Tracking memory is a nanowire along which islands of magnetization – magnetic domains – move. It is as if the train remained stationary and the platform suddenly began to move, where the “train” is the magnetic head and the “platform” is the data. But that is not all. The data in the track's memory is encoded in domain walls – the boundary areas between magnetic domains. The stability of the magnetic walls guarantees durability and recording quality. This is exactly what the new work of scientists at Cambridge University and several other educational institutions in Europe is aiming for.

Instead of a single nanowire, the researchers proposed a spiral of two nanowires – in effect, a DNA twin. The study of this torsion has shown that adjacent domain walls are connected to each other and these pairs become superstable. In addition, bizarre magnetic fields are formed in the space around the magnetized spiral nanowires. This was observed in real-time X-ray installations and during simulation.

According to the scientists, the spiral structures pave the way for the incredible density 3D magnetic recording. Learning how to manage this record at the nanoscale could revolutionize the way data is stored and beyond. These can be promising sensors and even metamaterials with unusual properties. Research in these areas will continue, and scientists are waiting for incredible discoveries.

Image source: Claire Donnelly