Super-slim laser beams promise to boost optical disc capacity

Researchers at Japan's Kyoto University have recently announced a breakthrough method for shaping laser beams that could result in optical disc capacities up to ten times higher than what's current available from state-of-the-art HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. Using several layers of so-called photonic crystals incorporated into a small semiconductor chip, the researchers were able to manipulate a light beam's constituent photons in such a way that the resulting laser output could be shaped into a number of exotic beam patterns -- such as hollow beams, concentric hollow beams, and most importantly for optical disc capacity, solid beams with diameters much smaller than had been previously achievable. The best part about this technology is that the narrow beams can be formed without changing the wavelength of the laser, meaning that the technique could theoretically be applied to existing blue lasers, enabling next-gen optical discs to hold hundreds of gigabytes worth of data. Or, to put this in layman's terms, the $1,000 BD-P1000 you're planning on buying will now be, like, totally obsolete before you even tear open the box.

[ME @ Jun 29th 2006 5:28PM]

Nice, more confusion to the format wars... would this make the new format more affordable?? or just add more hipe to raise the prices even more?

[willyjsimmons @ Jun 29th 2006 5:38PM]

Sorry to break topic but engadget is a lil slow.

Net Neutrality was defeated in committee today 11-11.

The bill headed to the Senate, if passed, marks the end of the internet as we now know it. It will be 'Pay As We Say'.

The telecomms will be in a position to degrade services from competitors.

[Bob @ Jun 29th 2006 5:39PM]

the $1,000 BD-P1000 you're planning on buying will now be, like, totally obsolete before you even tear open the box

That would be funny if it weren't true...

[SR @ Jun 29th 2006 5:45PM]

Are you people even aware of how long it takes to get something from a university to a finished product? Apparently not. I guess sensationalist statements get more readership.

[Austin @ Jun 29th 2006 5:57PM]

Yeah SR and sarcastic remarks make for more humorous commentary.

This just in "PS3’s breakthrough technology is outdated before it is released." Good thing they pushed back that date for more security.

[Photonboy @ Jun 29th 2006 6:55PM]

SCRATCHES ON THE DISC!!!

This is going to be a real problem. The denser the information on a disc, the higher the chance of data loss. In terms of video, this means unsightly data corruption, skipping or even freezing.

I still believe High-Definition DVD's should have a protective shell despite the extra cost. This problem of scratches is going to be even worse when cheaper versions of discs are released with inferior surface protective coatings in an attempt to save a few pennies in the highly competitive market.

We can't continue to stuff more bits on a surface that is exposed to the environment without paying a price!

[Jitty @ Jun 30th 2006 12:01AM]

umm.. no... I highly doubt this will be available to consumers before 2 1/2 years from now. I suspect it will go up against HDV disks next gen. For now, their is blu-ray and HD-DVD. And if blu-ray is going to be obsolete before you open the box in october, then what is HD-DVD? Already obsolete?

[Mike Abundo @ Jun 30th 2006 4:56AM]

Bill Gates predicts the death of optical media. Wonder if this will delay that.

[Wonderboy @ Jun 30th 2006 9:29AM]

Maybe we can convince them to post some DIY instructions... I'm sure this isn't too hard.

[Will @ Jun 30th 2006 10:14AM]

Photonboy, TDK has developed an extremely durable coating for the Blu-ray discs which is called Durabis. Look it up. Content capabilities aside, I think this feature alone makes Blu-ray superior (to HDdvd).

[Brad @ Jun 30th 2006 10:48AM]

I think I have to agree with Mr Gates. Blu-Ray and HDDVD will be the last formats competing for video, because everything will be internet transmitted from that point on. Its possible that this type of disc, as well as the holographic discs, may be used for some sort of optical storage, but I doubt by that point it will be affecting the ordinary consumer. They will be able to get whatever they want off of the internet, and store it on their super large HDDs.

[Chris @ Jun 30th 2006 10:58AM]

durabis on bluray.. think again read the reviews the discs that have been released do not include the durabis coating... in the bluray standard to make it more attractive they deemed it "OPTIONAL" so the studios could decide... so far they havent implemented it.