This expertise combines magnetic and optical rules for information storage. A laser heats a small space on the disc floor, permitting a magnetic subject to put in writing information. Studying information includes a lower-powered laser detecting the magnetic polarization of the disc floor. This technique as soon as provided a compelling mix of excessive capability and rewritability, distinguishing it from read-only optical media like CDs and write-once media like WORM discs. It was ceaselessly used for archiving and backup because of its perceived longevity and information integrity.
Providing a stability between capability and rewritability, this strategy addressed the restrictions of earlier optical storage applied sciences. Its perceived robustness and resistance to environmental elements made it interesting for long-term storage, notably in skilled settings the place information preservation was paramount. Whereas outdated by newer applied sciences like flash reminiscence and laborious disk drives, its position within the evolution of knowledge storage is important. Its affect could be seen within the ongoing pursuit of sturdy, high-capacity storage options.