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arXiv · 2507.11363

ND1 centers in diamond for long-term data storage in extreme conditions

Ahsan Ali·Wei Huang·Khadga Jung Karki
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Abstract

Practically feasible long-term data storage under extreme conditions is an unsolved problem in modern data storage systems. This study introduces a novel approach using ND1 centers in diamonds for high-density, three-dimensional optical data storage. By employing near-infrared femtosecond laser pulses, we demonstrate the creation of sub-micron ND1 defect sites with precise spatial control, enabling efficient data encoding as luminescent ''pits." The ND1 centers exhibit robust photoluminescence in the UV spectrum, driven by three-photon absorption, which intrinsically provides a 3D reading of the data. Remarkably, these centers remain stable under extreme electric and magnetic fields, temperatures ranging from 4 K to 500 K, and corrosive chemical environments, with no degradation observed over extended periods. A reading speed of 500 MBits/s, limited by the lifetime of the photoluminescence, surpasses conventional Blu-ray technology while maintaining compatibility with existing optical data storage infrastructure. Our findings highlight diamond-based ND1 centers as a promising medium for durable, high-capacity data storage, capable of preserving critical information for millions of years, even under harsh conditions.

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Ahsan Ali, Wei Huang, Khadga Jung Karki. 2025-07-15. ND1 centers in diamond for long-term data storage in extreme conditions. https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.11363

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