Hitachi Maxell Ltd. intends to begin sampling a holographic disk with a 200 Gbyte capacity in Fall 2005, and incorporate the disk next year in InPhase's drive system. Hitachi Maxell invested in InPhase (Longmont, Colo.) in 2002 and began developing holographic disks for InPhase's drive system. Although InPhase is working with other media partners on the drive, Hitachi Maxell is the furthest along in development, said a Hitachi spokesman.

The 5-inch (130 mm) disk has a holographic system that writes and reads data with a blue laser. The laser beam splits into two beams, a signal beam that convey data and a reference beam. Data to be stored is encoded into data pages, which are written in multiplex in the storage media.

The company carries a 400-Gbyte tape cartridge for computer backup, but a disk form should be available if users want to access the data, said the spokesman.

Hitachi Maxell is aiming to develop a second-generation holographic disk with a 400-Gbyte capacity by2007.

Tokyo-based venture company Optware Corp. is developing a 120 mm disc system and demonstrated practical recording and read out of a video footage last August. The company also intends to introduce a holographic disk system next year.