Mathematicians analyse new ’racetrack memory’ computer device

Press release issued: 1 August 2014 Competition to create the smallest, lightest and cheapest laptop on the market is motivating the ongoing search for a better computer-memory device then the current, conventional 2D hard-disk technology. Mathematicians from the University of Bristol have been analysing the potential of one such initiative: the 'racetrack memory' device, proposed by researchers at IBM. In this 3D memory device , 'bits' of information are stored in tall columns of very thin magnetized nanowires. The thickness of these wires - about 1,000 times smaller than a human hair - has special properties which mean magnetism along the wire can only point in two directions: up or down. Each wire is divided into multiple domains where the magnetism points either up or down and each bit of information is stored in each domain. Since the structure is so tiny, a large number of bits can be stored in a very small space. Furthermore, the nanowires can be kept in a 3D array which is much smaller and more cost-efficient then the current 2D hard-disk.