New pgm technology has been used to help build the most stable and reliable hard-drive read-sensor technology in the world, according to technology website EFY Times.

Improvements to the read sensor, created by Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, come as a result of the use of a new iridium alloy, called iridium-manganese-chromium (IrMnCr).

Hitachi also used a thinner layer of the element ruthenium to stabilise the read sensor.

The result is greater hard-drive reliability due to its improved ability to read data even under difficult conditions, such as extreme temperature variances, humidity and shock.

"Hitachi has worked closely with customers to implement the new IrMnCr read sensors, which have shown tremendous success both in laboratory tests and in the field," said Mohammed Krounbi, vice president of head-engineering at Hitachi Global Storage Technologies.

The IrMnCr read-head was also vital to Hitachi's first perpendicular-recording hard drive, the Travelstar 5K160.

Its iridium alloy replaces a platinum-manganese alloy used in the past.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd