UC San Diego researchers develop laser technique for faster data storage

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a method using precisely shaped ultrafast laser beams to control magnetism, potentially making data storage 1,000 times faster than conventional magnetic-field methods.

Published in Nature Communications, the research demonstrates that light can deliver energy in extremely short bursts to target specific magnetic regions. This process, known as optical switching, allows for the manipulation of magnetic states without the need for external magnetic fields, which typically consume significant energy and limit recording speeds.

The team utilized a specialized femtosecond laser, modifying the beam's shape and size to achieve unprecedented precision. This approach allowed them to overcome previous limitations, such as the requirement for extremely thin magnetic structures. The researchers successfully demonstrated switching in stacks containing up to nine alternating platinum and cobalt layers, offering a path toward denser and more efficient memory devices.