What is Barium Ferrite & Why Is it Important to Data Storage?

Barium Ferrite (BaFe) is one of the saviors of tape media. In fact, it is responsible for pushing tape capacity to entirely new, unprecedented levels.

Fujifilm is the very first media manufacturer that decided to invest in the particle, rather than sticking with the traditional metal particles that have been used for years.

BaFe is amazing for numerous reasons, including the following:

• It’s a naturally stable crystalline particle that never corrodes.
• It doesn’t change chemically over time.
• It consists of ultra-fine particles with higher magnetic properties than metal.
• It allows for high density recording.

This is why Fujifilm’s LTO-6 has been noted as stable, relatable, and robust.

When you compare a standard 3.5” HDD, with an areal density that is approaching 600 Gb/inch-squared, tape densities aren’t nearly as “crowded.” In other words, tape has plenty of room to grow, especially with the help of the BaFe particle.

Beyond capacity, there is another major reason Fujifilm decided to invest in BaFe technology. The company has long understood the limitations of Metal Particulate (MP). Because MP is primarily made of iron, over time oxidation and deterioration occurs.

While previous versions of LTO (LTO-1 to LTO-5) are very stable (and if stored in a stable environment will last for 30 years or more), the LTO-6 ups the ante big time.

Extensive testing has also found BeFe to significantly decrease noise and increase the tape signal. Thus, it can be said that BeFe is contributing to greater levels of efficiency.

It’s safe to say that Fujifilm’s breakthrough means a much greater future for LTO tape. It, along with other breakthroughs including LTFS, will lead to tape playing a much greater role in the storage of all types of data.

Stay tuned to learn more about BaFe and other technologies that are reshaping the way we understand data storage.