glass data storage

Glass data storage is a long-running Microsoft Research effort known as Project Silica, which stores digital information in glass using ultrafast femtosecond lasers. Recent work published in Nature demonstrates a full-system approach that writes terabytes of archived data onto a 120 mm × 120 mm × 2 mm glass platter, with projected media lifetimes exceeding 10,000 years. The system combines femtosecond-laser writing with machine-learning decoding to reliably read the data. This tag covers discussions about the technology's development, its potential for long-term archival storage, and comparisons with traditional storage media. Topics include the optical engineering involved, the role of AI in decoding, and the implications for enterprise and scientific archiving.