'Odds are good for bucky magnets'

Less than 50 nanometres across, the devices are made from nickel chloride, a substance which is not normally magnetic. However, the researchers have shown that an extremely thin layer of nickel chloride with an odd number of layers does exhibit magnetic properties.

Since the magnetic zones in modern hard disks are much larger than 50 nanometres, this new work could offer a two-order-of-magnitude increase in data density.

Note: In order to comply with copyright law, I have ommited some details from the original article. Thus, for a complete insight into the topic covered here, please either consult your local library for the issue concerned, purchase the relevant issue from your local newsagent, or back-order it from the publishers.

Precised by Ian Mapleson, 04/Oct/1998.