Near‑Term Capacity Goals (60 TB and Beyond)
Western Digital aims to ship 60 TB ePMR drives by 2028, using a platform that can accommodate up to 14 platters. The same chassis will later host HAMR drives, allowing capacity growth without redesigning the mechanical envelope.
Vertical‑Emitting HAMR Laser: Overcoming Yield Challenges
Traditional edge‑emitting HAMR lasers suffer low yields because they require mechanical cleaving and can only be tested after head assembly. WD spent six years developing a patented vertical‑emitting laser that projects light straight down onto the media, is shorter in the Z‑dimension, and can be fabricated and tested on a wafer using standard lithography. This yields higher manufacturing efficiency and enables areal densities to rise from today’s ~4 TB per platter to 10 TB per platter by 2028.
Multi‑Platter Platforms for Massive Capacity
In parallel with the new laser, WD is engineering a drive architecture that can house up to 14 platters within a 3.5‑inch form factor. The initial 12‑platter implementation will support the 60 TB ePMR drives, and the same platform will be reused for future HAMR models, paving the way toward 140 TB+ drives in the 2030s.
Future Technologies: Ordered‑Granular and Bit‑Patterned Media
Beyond the 140 TB milestone, WD foresees a transition to ordered‑granular (OG) recording and eventually bit‑patterned media (BPM). BPM will require ultra‑precise, localized heating achieved through advanced lithography techniques such as nano‑imprint, e‑beam, or photolithography, and will drive the next generation of laser designs.
Key Milestones in WD’s HDD Evolution
- 2028: 60 TB ePMR drives on a 12‑platter platform.
- 2028‑2030: Introduction of vertical‑emitting HAMR lasers, boosting platter density to 10 TB.
- Early 2030s: 140 TB+ drives using up to 14 platters.
- Mid‑2030s: Development of ordered‑granular and bit‑patterned media for next‑generation capacity growth.