Seagate patents 1TB-plus discs

Seagate Technology has patented a process that could increase computer disc space to over one terabyte (1TB).

The company has developed Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology, which includes nanotube-based lubrication.

This lubrication allows the read/write head of a disc to get closer to the surface, allowing the disc to store more information.

Smaller data-recording areas on a disc surface allows more of them to be packed together, allowing greater capacity.

But reading and writing smaller bits of information requires the read/write head to come closer to the disc surface, and a tough lubricant layer on the surface, something Seagate has delivered.

Seagate says its solution can increase current disc capacity levels by a factor of ten.

This would make possible 600GB 1.8-in drives, 1.46TB 2.5-in drives, and 7.5TB Barracuda 3.5-in products.

Seagate has yet to announce commercial roll-out dates for the technology.