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Synopsis

In 2002, Stuart Parkin started thinking about the limitations of the basic technology of hard disk drives and memory chips—and wondering if there was a better way of designing a disk drive without moving parts. He came up with the concept of spintronics-based memory, dubbed racetrack memory, and received his first patent in 2004. These fast and efficient magnetic memories are based on a 3D structure and will be able to store about 140 terabits per square inch (Tbpsi), while the existing technology, i.e., magnetic HDDs have areal density âˆ¼1 Tbpsi. With Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR), it could go up to 4 Tbpsi in ordinary HDDs. Racetrack memories are based on moving magnetic domains along a nanoscopic wire, using a spin-coherent electric current. Right now, these memories are under development at IBM's Almaden Research Center by a team led by physicist Stuart Parkin.