Fujifilm Achieves New Data Storage Record of 54TB on Advanced Prototype Tape

Fujifilm Achieves New Data Storage Record of 154TB on Advanced Prototype Tape Proving the current tape format will satisfy the requirements of tape storage well into the future

20.05.2014

Citing its use of proprietary NANOCUBIC and Barium Ferrite (BaFe) particle technologies, FUJIFILM Recording Media GmbH, a subsidiary of FUJIFILM Corporation, the leading global manufacturer of data storage media, today announced that in conjunction with IBM, a new record in areal data density of 85.9 billion bits per square inch on cost-efficient linear magnetic particulate tape has been achieved. This breakthrough in data density equates to a standard LTO cartridge capable of storing up to 154 terabytes of uncompressed data, which is 62 times greater than today's current LTO6 cartridge capacity.

This new record was reached using an advanced prototype tape incorporating NANOCUBIC technology developed by Fujifilm, with advanced tape-drive technologies developed by IBM.

This data density achievement is significant as corporate data is growing at an incredible rate, and secure and reliable storage remain critical considerations in today's market, said Wolfgang May, Managing Director, FUJIFILM Recording Media GmbH.

Together with our partners at IBM, we have been able to create the basis for extraordinary data density on tape that is fast, cost effective and energy efficient - characteristics that benefit every organization.

Fujifilm's research addresses previous shortcomings associated with decreasing the magnetic particle size and thermal stability degradation. The enhanced NANOCUBIC technology decreases the BaFe magnetic particle volume, which is essential for high density data recording, while maintaining its thermal stability to ensure long term archivability of recorded data.

Since the surface roughness of tape is directly related to both signal-to-noise ratio and high quality output, NANOCUBIC technology incorporates NANO coating and dispersion techniques to strictly control surface smoothness. In addition, NANO perpendicular orientation precisely aligns the BaFe particles to produce high quality read signal over a wide frequency.

Fujifilm Proprietary Media Technology Enhanced NANO particle

The new BaFe synthesis method decreases the particle volume while maintaining its thermal stability by suppressing the distribution of the particle size and the magnetic properties. The technology creates a uniform NANO particle with consistent magnetic properties.

Enhanced NANO coating and dispersion

The new dispersion process and dispersion material make it possible to separate each BaFe particle and avoid the agglomeration of fine BaFe particles. The uniformly dispersed BaFe particles form a thinner magnetic layer with an extremely smooth surface. These technologies lead to improved signal-to-noise ratios and high frequency responses, and eliminate the need for expensive metal sputtering or evaporation coating methods.

NANO perpendicular orientation

This new technology allows the BaFe particle orientation to be precisely controlled by taking advantage of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of BaFe to deliver a high quality read signal over a wide frequency.

Collaboration with IBM This is the third time in less than 10 years that Fujifilm, working with IBM scientists, have achieved such an accomplishment.

The team at IBM has focused on improving head technology to produce significantly stronger magnetic fields needed for improved tape capacity, speed and reliability, while leveraging Fujifilm's advanced NANOCUBIC technology, said Norio Shibata, corporate vice president, FUJIFILM Corporation, Recording Media Products Division. Looking forward, these large capacity tapes will prove to be the most reliable and affordable storage alternative, satisfying the requirements for Big Data and cloud storage.

To help reach this milestone, IBM researchers developed new technologies, including:

enhanced write field head that enables the use of much finer BaFe particles

advanced servo control that allows head positioning with nano-scale fidelity and enables a 27 fold increase in track density compared to the LTO6 format

innovative signal-processing algorithms for the data channel that enable reliable operation with an ultra-narrow 90nm wide giant magnetoresistive (GMR) reader

<VIDEO>

See what IBM has to say about the computer industrys most resilient, reliable and affordable data storage technologies for Big Data: http://youtu.be/ftBRxAxgmzs .

Need for High Capacity Tape Since 2000, Fujifilm has been the leader in the development of large-capacity data tape for backup and archival applications. Fujifilm's NANOCUBIC technology incorporates BaFe particles that deliver superior performance and longer archival life compared to conventional metal particle (MP) tape.

With the need for tape storage growing exponentially each year, the advantages of tape abound. Tape provides high capacity storage in a small form factor, is reliable for several decades, and features secure data encryption. Tape is the most cost effective and greenest form of storage, using zero power when not in use.

Fujifilm remains committed to developing highly functional materials, and has applied its most advanced materials science to innovate products and solutions in the data storage marketplace. The company's commitment to the category has been demonstrated through its development of high capacity and superior quality data storage media, while maintaining the largest production share of LTO Ultrium tape cartridges in the midrange data storage market. Fujifilm will continue to lead the development of large capacity data storage media with its BaFe technology.

LINK:	http://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/news/article/news/fujifilm-achieves-new-data...
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