Yes, Tier 1 is scanning probe — C-AFM specifically. Slow but sufficient for proof of concept. The paper describes a Tier 2 architecture using near-field mid-IR arrays for parallel read/write, projecting 25 PB/s aggregate throughput. Tier 1 proves the physics. Tier 2 is the engineering path to speed.

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ilaksh 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

What do you need to build a demo of Tier 2? I am guessing if you can do that then you can get an investor.

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iliatoli 4 hours ago | parent [-]

Tier 2 requires near-field infrared optics at sub-10 nm resolution — that's active research in several groups but not commercially available yet. The immediate next step is Tier 1: one C-AFM image proving the read, one voltage pulse proving the write. That's $300 in materials and access to an AFM. Already in progress with a collaborator.

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Keyframe 2 hours ago | parent [-]

at that level (Tier 2) we're basically talking plasmonics, right? optics + antenna theory for the uninitiated. SPR, quantum plasmonics, active nanophotonics.. that's some advance shit from the (hopefully near) future, man. This is mostly in semiconductor research now, right? maybe biology?

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Animats 2 hours ago | parent [-]

If you could do that at a high writing rate, could it be used for making ICs?

	▲	Keyframe 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		If you could do that at all, let alone high throughput, you could write the future itself.

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rowanG077 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Using a mid-IR array with sub 10nm resolution is anything but an engineering path. Tech like that has never left the lab afaik.

	▲	iliatoli 4 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Fair point. That's why the paper labels it Tier 2 (near-term research) rather than Tier 1 (existing instrumentation). Tier 1 — scanning probe read/write on a single sample — is the immediate validation target and requires no new technology.