What is meant by 'optical storage'?

Optical storage refers to a data storage technology that utilizes lasers to read and write data on optical discs, such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. This method involves encoding data onto the disc in the form of tiny pits, which are read by a laser beam that detects the variation between the pits and the flat areas of the disc surface. The laser can accurately access and retrieve data stored in these microscopic patterns, making optical storage a reliable and durable means of data preservation.

Optical storage is distinct from other forms of storage technologies. For example, magnetic storage relies on magnetic fields to store data, which is not the case in optical storage. Similarly, solid-state drives (SSDs) represent a different kind of storage that does not involve moving parts or lasers, as they use flash memory chips to store data electronically. Cloud storage further diverges from optical storage by enabling remote access and storage of data over the internet rather than on physical discs. Each of these alternatives serves different user needs but does not align with the laser-based data reading and writing characteristic of optical storage.