February 16, 2004 (TOKYO) -- Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp (NTT) announced on Feb 12 that it has developed a prototype of a new high-capacity memory storage device, designed with a multi-layered waveguide structure and based on thin-film holography.

(photo 1) Info-MICA memory media prototype

The company has produced a 100-layer postage stamp-sized media prototype with a 1GB memory capacity constructed from plastic material, and a small prototype drive for reading data.

The new memory is named Info-MICA (Information-Multilayered Imprinted CArd) because it has a layered structure similar to that of a mica stone, according to NTT.

Info-MICA comprises a technology that stores and retrieves digital information based on the principle of thin-film holography.

Information is pre-recorded as follows: first, digital data is encoded into a 2D image, then the 2D image is translated into a hologram by CGH (Computer Generated Hologram) technology. Finally, the hologram is recorded as a sub-micron concave-convex pattern in each waveguide layer of the media. For data retrieval, a laser beam is focused at the end of a waveguide layer, then the light propagates in the waveguide and is scattered by the concave-convex pattern. The scattered light generates the 2D image on the plane parallel to the waveguide. This 2D image is captured by an image sensor and decoded into the original digital data.

Compared with existing memory devices, Info-MICA offers data storage on plastic media with the following characteristics:
1) The media has extremely high memory density;
2) The drive is small and its power consumption is very low;
3) The media can be mass produced at low cost;
4) Copying of the media is very difficult;
5) The media is totally recyclable.

Based on these characteristics, the following three major applications are being considered for Info-MICA:

The first application is use as a replacement of semiconductor ROM (Read Only Memory) because Info-MICA is small in size and considerably cheaper for the equivalent ROM capacity. Widespread adoption of Info-MICA is expected by the electronic dictionary sector, where higher data storage capacity is required to accommodate large volumes of dictionaries. Similar applications include the "pachinko" slot machine industry, in which high data storage capacity is required to support the display of detailed graphics, as well as navigation systems in motor vehicles.

(photo 2) Prototype drive for reading data from Info-MICA

The second application is the introduction of Info-MICA as a replacement of paper products that are used for distributing information. Info-MICA is suited to the mass distribution of information as it is easily disposable and it can be recycled. Info-MICA media can be attached as cover-mounted media to magazines and other merchandise, or it can be distributed alone as a ticket or coupon.

The third application is for releasing multimedia content such as games, music, movies and electronic publications. This application will benefit from Info-MICA's high storage capacity and the difficulty for reproducing illegal Info-MICA copies. Info-MICA drives will be installed in cellular phones and portable game machines, where it will satisfy their demanding requirements for low power consumption and limitations in size. The use of an Info-MICA drive in portable devices will enable users to enjoy rich multimedia content at any time and any place. In particular, key organizations in the music industry (which continues to be challenged by the problem of content piracy) are examining Info-MICA as a promising next-generation standard media for minimizing the illegal copying of content.

NTT is planning to bring the first commercial Info-MICA products to market in 2005 with a postage stamp-size ROM and a memory capacity of 1GB.

The estimated cost of a mass-produced Info-MICA product will depend on the volumes that are manufactured, but initial estimates suggest it to be several thousand yen for the drive technology, and 100 to 200 yen for the media. In the future, NTT is planning to commercialize an Info-MICA ROM with more than 10GB capacity that will be suitable for releases of pre-recorded movies. NTT will also continue its research and development of a writable media and drive configuration so that the Info-MICA storage method can be used for re-writable applications.

Related link: NTT's detailed information web site : http://www.info-MICA.com/.



(Atsushi Mochizuki, NE Asia/China)