A team of researchers from UC Riverside and the Russian Academy for Science worked together to develop a holographic memory device that utilizes spin waves – magnetic waves produced by an alternating magnetic field – to increase storage and processing capacity.
Spin waves were ideal for use in the creation of the new device as short wavelengths increase the number of bits that can be processed and stored compared to longer wavelengths. The team is currently working on prototypes of the new device, and they are searching for material suitable for spin wave use and additional ways to minimize the size and energy required to excite spin waves.