Future of Magnetic Data Storage

by
Saumitra Prasad Kulkarni (B23EE1065)
Ritik Singh (B23EE1062)
Saketi Krupa Rao (B23EE1064)
Saurabh Kumar (B23EE1066)

Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur

NH 62, Nagaur Road, Karwar,
Jodhpur 342037 INDIA
This page is left blank, intentionally.
 Index

Sr. No. page

1. Introduction/Purpose 04

2. Working Principle (including Design) 05

3. Magnetic Materials used 08

4. Your Conclusion and Future Aspects 09

5. Bibliography/Reference 10

The submitted report should be at least 5 - 8 pages excluding Title and Index page

Paragraph Font: Times New Roman (12 points)

 Introduction/Purpose

Introduction:
Magnetic data storage has played a central role in data storage technologies for decades, starting
with magnetic tapes and floppy disks and advancing to modern hard drives and magnetic
random-access memory (MRAM). These technologies have been critical in allowing us to store
and retrieve large amounts of information, which is essential for everything from personal
computing to large-scale business applications. As the need for data storage continues to grow,
magnetic storage technologies are evolving to offer better storage capacity, faster access times,
and greater energy efficiency.

Purpose:
This report aims to explore the future of magnetic data storage technologies by looking at the
current trends in design, the materials being used, and the challenges that lie ahead. It will
examine how these technologies can continue to meet the growing data needs of today’s world
while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in terms of storage capacity, speed, and
efficiency. Additionally, the report will consider potential breakthroughs that could shape the next
generation of data storage solutions.
 Working Principle (including Design)

Magnetic Data Storage

Magnetic data storage works by using magnetic fields to store information. The basic idea is to
encode data in binary form—0s and 1s—where the direction of the magnetic field represents
either a 0 or a 1.

In traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), data is stored by a read/write head that magnetizes small
areas of a spinning disk. To read the data, the magnetic orientation on the disk affects the read
head, which then converts it back into readable information. The data is arranged in circular
tracks, and the spinning disk allows the head to move to different parts of the disk to access data.

In newer technologies like magnetic random-access memory (MRAM), data is stored using
something called the magnetoresistive effect, where the resistance of a material changes based on
its magnetic state. MRAM uses magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), made of two magnetic layers
separated by an insulating barrier. Changing the orientation of the layers (either in parallel or
opposite directions) changes the resistance, which stores the data.

Ongoing advancements are focused on increasing storage density, speeding up access times, and
making the technology more energy-efficient. Some of the latest designs include:

● Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR): This uses a laser to heat the disk, allowing
more precise control over the magnetization process.
● Bit-Patterned Media (BPM): This technique involves creating tiny, isolated magnetic
areas on the disk, which allows for much higher storage density.
● Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR): SMR writes data tracks that overlap slightly, like
roof shingles, allowing more data to fit in the same space.

Looking to the future, magnetic data storage has plenty of room for growth and innovation. As the
need for data storage keeps increasing—thanks to things like cloud computing and the massive
amounts of digital information we generate every day—magnetic storage technologies are being
pushed to new limits. Scientists are exploring new materials and techniques, such as
quantum-based magnetic storage and 3D magnetic designs, to overcome the current physical
barriers. The aim is to create systems that can store even more data, work faster, use less energy,
and still be affordable for everyone.
Working of Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording (TDMR):

Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording (TDMR) is a technology that boosts storage density by

reading data from several tracks on a hard disk at the same time. Here's how it works:

Track Reading: Unlike older methods that only read one track at a time, TDMR uses advanced
sensors to read multiple tracks that are right next to each other. This lets it capture more data in a
single read.

Signal Processing: After reading from multiple tracks, TDMR uses complex algorithms to
process the signals and separate the data from each track accurately. This helps reduce
interference between the closely packed tracks.

Data Storage: By efficiently handling these signals, TDMR allows more data to be stored in the
same space on the disk, increasing the overall storage capacity compared to traditional recording
techniques.

TDMR significantly enhances both the capacity and reliability of hard drives, making it an
important technology for today’s high-demand data storage needs.
 Magnetic Materials used

The selection of magnetic materials plays a key role in determining the performance of data
storage devices. Various materials are used in different types of magnetic storage, each chosen
based on their specific properties that suit particular applications. Here's an overview of some of
the most common magnetic materials used today:

● Iron Oxide (Fe₂O₃): This material was widely used in early magnetic storage devices like
tapes and disks. While it offered good magnetic properties for the time, iron oxide has
largely been replaced by more advanced materials in modern storage devices due to its
limitations in data density and performance.
● Cobalt-Based Alloys (e.g., CoCrPt): Cobalt is a popular choice for hard disk drives
(HDDs) because of its high coercivity, meaning it can hold onto its magnetization even
when exposed to external magnetic fields. This makes cobalt alloys ideal for high-density
data storage, where maintaining stable magnetic states is critical.
● Heusler Alloys: These alloys are used in Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM) due
to their ability to exhibit giant magnetoresistance (GMR) or tunnel magnetoresistance
(TMR). These properties are essential for reading data from MRAM cells efficiently and
accurately.
● Neodymium Magnets (NdFeB): Known for their strength, neodymium magnets are
commonly used in the motors of HDDs and other high-performance magnetic storage
devices. They generate strong magnetic fields, which help in ensuring the rapid movement
and accurate positioning of the read/write heads.
● Tetragonal Magnetic Materials (FePt, CoPt): These materials are gaining attention in
emerging technologies like Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR). Due to their high
magnetic anisotropy, they are more resistant to thermal effects, which is crucial when
dealing with the nanoscale precision required in advanced data storage technologies.

Overall, the choice of magnetic material directly impacts the capacity, speed, and reliability of
data storage devices, and the development of new materials continues to drive advancements in
storage technology.

Additionally, as storage technology continues to evolve, research into novel magnetic materials is
gaining momentum. One area of exploration is the use of antiferromagnetic materials, which,
unlike traditional ferromagnetic materials, do not produce external magnetic fields. This property
can potentially eliminate interference between data tracks, allowing for even greater storage
densities. Moreover, skyrmions, tiny magnetic vortices that are incredibly stable and can be
manipulated with minimal energy, are being studied as a promising option for next-generation
data storage. These advancements could further enhance the speed, efficiency, and durability of
future magnetic storage solutions, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in data storage
technology.
 Conclusion and Future Aspects

The Future of Magnetic Data Storage

Magnetic data storage is set for significant advancements as the need for higher capacity, faster
access times, and energy-efficient solutions continues to grow. While traditional technologies like
hard disk drives (HDDs) are still being refined, more cutting-edge solutions such as MRAM
(Magnetic Random Access Memory), HAMR (Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording), and BPM
(Bit-Patterned Media) are likely to lead the charge in the future of data storage.

Challenges and Innovations:

● Data Density: As data generation continues to skyrocket, one of the biggest challenges is
increasing storage density without sacrificing speed. Technologies like HAMR and BPM
offer exciting solutions, enabling much higher data capacities while maintaining
performance levels.
● Speed: Although magnetic storage is known for its reliability, it tends to be slower than
solid-state options like flash memory. MRAM is helping to bridge this gap with its fast
read/write speeds, and we expect to see more widespread use of MRAM in future storage
devices.
● Durability and Longevity: Magnetic storage excels in terms of durability, especially in
environments where other storage types may fail. For example, MRAM is non-volatile and
resistant to radiation, making it ideal for use in extreme conditions, such as aerospace and
defense applications.

Future Prospects:

● Quantum Magnetic Storage: As quantum computing evolves, there’s potential to

integrate quantum technology with magnetic storage, opening the door to unprecedented
improvements in both data density and speed.
● Spintronics: Spintronics, which utilizes the spin of electrons along with their charge, is
another area that could revolutionize storage. Technologies like MRAM are already
benefiting from spintronics, providing faster, more energy-efficient, and denser storage
solutions.
● 3D Magnetic Storage: In the near future, 3D magnetic storage could become a reality,
allowing storage devices to use vertical space for even greater capacity.

Magnetic data storage will continue to be an essential part of modern technology, particularly in
cloud computing and autonomous vehicles. While solid-state storage remains a strong competitor,
magnetic storage will stay relevant due to its strengths in durability, and energy efficiency.
 Bibliography/Reference

1. "Magnetic Materials and their Applications" by J.M.D. Coey, Cambridge

University Press, 2010

2. Daughton, J. "Magnetoresistive Memory Technology: MRAM and Beyond,"

IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 36, no. 5, 2000

3. "Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording," Nature Materials, vol. 16, 2017

4. "Spintronics: Fundamentals and Applications," by Tomasz Dietl, Arne Fert, and

Hiroshi Ohno, Oxford University Press, 2014

5. Bajaj, S. "Recent Advances in Bit-Patterned Magnetic Recording," Journal of

Applied Physics, 2018.