I have o­nly o­ne word to say in response to this: Golly.
Yes, you heard correctly. Pioneer unveiled some technology today which, rather than using a laser beam to record discs, they use an electron beam to record discs. The result? More than 50GB o­n just o­ne side of the disc. The technology can even be applied to Blu-ray ROMs.

Pioneer Corporation and Pioneer FA Corporation announced o­n the 2nd that they have developed a "High Precision Electron Beam Recorder" device, which uses an electron beam to record originally manufactured (mask) discs. Since the pits can be recorded more "micro" than previously, recording more than 50GB o­n o­ne side of the disc has become possible. Pioneer FA will begin sale in the first part of April.

Presented this time around was a manufacturing-level recording device that, o­n the original recording (mask) of optical discs, rather than using conventional UV or Deep-UV rays as a laser beam, uses an electron beam. The process is done at a much finer level than current processes, and can be used as a mask for read-only Blu-ray discs. The diameter of the beam is 80nm.


        Laser-Beam Recording                   Electron-Beam Recording

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040402/pioneer2.htm

News Release:
http://www.pioneer.co.jp/press/release435-j.html