Isolinear optical chip

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In the Star Trek fictional universe, the isolinear optical chip is a common format for data storage among the more developed warp-capable cultures of the alpha and beta quadrants, particularly the United Federation of Planets. The format employs holographic technology to store data three-dimensionally throughout the medium.

The Starfleet-issued isolinear chip is a small, flat, rectangular unit featuring onboard nanotech processors to aid in memory access and with a maximum capacity of 2.15 kiloquads. Though normally easily corrupted, chips may be coated with a layer of clear plastic for protection in environments more hostile than a computer core without affecting read and write capabilities; such ruggedized chips are commonly used in tricorders, PADDs, and other handheld devices with isolinear chip drives.

Cardassians and other aliens use isolinear rods which are nearly identical in function and construction, but take the form of amber cylinders, slightly longer and thicker than a ballpoint pen.

[edit] Real world isolinear chips

The closest to real world isolinear chips/rods today is the Holographic Versatile Card. Although the technology is new, and not fully developed and/or mainstream, it is the farthest we have come to having technology close to that of modern fictional Star Trek technology.

Second in line are USB flash drives, as well as flash memory cards. While not holographic, they resemble in both shape and size an isolinear chip.