Fujifilm Trumpets Magnetic Tape Archivability

Fujifilm Recording Media U.S.A., Inc. announced that it has demonstrated the long term archivability of it Barium-Ferrite (BaFe) magnetic tape particle technology.

According to the statement, the findings from the study have been documented in a new white paper issued by FUJIFILM Corporation.

For more information visit: www.fujifilmusa.com


Unedited press release follows:

FUJIFILM PROVES LONG TERM ARCHIVABILITY OF MAGNETIC TAPE USING BARIUM-FERRITE PARTICLE

Release of White Paper Proves Record Breaking Storage Solution Offers Security of Data for More than 30 Years

Valhalla, N.Y., September 10, 2010 – FUJIFILM Recording Media U.S.A., Inc. today announced it was able to demonstrate the long term archivability of Barium-Ferrite (BaFe) magnetic tape particle, withstanding realistic storage environment simulations and proving its reliability over more than a 30 year time period. The findings from the study have been documented in an official white paper issued by FUJIFILM Corporation.

“These findings show that the BaFe particle is not only a reliable tape storage solution because of its capacity but also for its proven long term reliability,” said Peter Faulhaber, senior vice president of sales and marketing, FUJIFILM Recording Media U.S.A., Inc. “We have seen dramatic increases in the volume of data generated, transferred and stored today which has driven the need for increased, reliable storage media. Moreover, the solution must be able to stand up to the test of time in order for it to be a true value to IT professionals and storage managers.”

To prove the long term reliability of its BaFe tape particle, Fujifilm used an accelerated environment evaluation (temperature 60ºC, relative humidity 90%, 30 days) to confirm BaFe tape particle changes in demagnetization, friction coefficient and tape surface over time. In addition, a storage test in a polluted environment, known as a “Battelle experiment”, was performed. Through this series of testing, it was proven that the data storage of 30 years or more with BaFe tape particle is possible and that the tape can maintain its magnetic characteristics for long term storage.

Employing its advanced NANOCUBIC technology, Fujifilm succeeded in micro-particulation of the BaFe particle to 1600nm³, the equivalent of one-third of the current metal particle volume, uniformly dispersed and coated on a super smooth thin magnetic layer. This next generation version of NANOCUBIC technology uses a new ultra-fine, perpendicularly-oriented barium-ferrite magnetic medium that enables high-density data recording without using expensive metal sputtering or evaporation coating methods. Because Fujifilm’s new technology orients the particles in a perpendicular fashion and controls disposition at nanometer levels, it has also improved the tape’s running stability.

Globally, Fujifilm is committed to developing highly functional materials and has applied its most advanced materials science, most recently advanced NANOCUBIC technology, to innovate products and solutions in the data storage marketplace. The company’s commitment to the category has been demonstrated through their development of high capacity and superior quality data storage media. Fujifilm has maintained the largest production share of LTO Ultrium tape cartridges in the midrange data storage market, and will continue to lead the development of large capacity data storage media with its BaFe technology.

About NANOCUBIC and Barium-Ferrite magnetic particles
Already recognized by the industry as an enterprise-class tape solution, Fujifilm NANOCUBIC technology combines nano-scale particles, a unique dual-coating process and advanced dispersion techniques to achieve an ultra-thin magnetic layer that produces higher resolution for recording digital data, ultra-low noise and high signal-to-noise ratios that are ideal for Magneto-Resistive and Giant Magneto-Resistive heads. Fujifilm’s next-generation tape storage media applies NANOCUBIC technology to barium-ferrite particles, a naturally stable crystalline particle that does not corrode or change chemically over time, making it an optimal particle for data storage applications. Due to the crystalline anisotropy, the ultra-fine barium-ferrite particles have high coercivity for superior performance high density recording. The unique Fujifilm NANOCUBIC technology coats the barium-ferrite particles in a very uniform manner (with thickness variation of less than 10 percent across the length of the tape), resulting in a much smoother magnetic surface to significantly enhance performance.

About Fujifilm
FUJIFILM Recording Media U.S.A., Inc. is the US-based manufacturing, marketing and sales operations of professional broadcast video and data tape recording media for FUJIFILM Corporation. The company provides broadcast and data center customers and industry partners with a wide range of unique data center accessories, value-added services and programs. Based on a history of thin-film engineering and magnetic particle science such as Fujifilm NANOCUBIC technology, Fujifilm creates breakthrough data storage products. In 2008, Fujifilm announced it had surpassed the 50 million milestone for the number of LTO Ultrium data cartridges manufactured since introduction, highlighting the company’s leadership and success as a manufacturer of mid-range and enterprise tape media. For more information on Fujifilm Recording Media products, customers can call 800-488-3854 or go to www.fujifilmusa.com/tapestorage. To receive news and information direct from Fujifilm via RSS, subscribe free at www.fujifilmusa.com/rss.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 20 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2009, and in the year ended March 31, 2010, had global revenues of $23.5 billion*. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship. For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.

*At an exchange rate of 93 yen to the dollar.