Abstract: The present invention relates to computer storage systems which have a tip (24) directed close or in contact to the storage medium (10) by which bit-writing and bit-reading is enforced. It is proposed to use a magnetizable storage medium (10), expose it to an artificial, external magnetic field H coupled externally to the storage medium, and—during bit writing—to concurrently apply heat very locally in bit size dimension in order to let the external magnetic field become locally larger than the (temperature-dependent) coercive field at the location (32) where heat is applied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microprobe capable of simplifying constitution, capable of promoting measurement accuracy of sample face and capable of dispensing with alignment adjustment at each measurement and a scanning type probe apparatus using thereof. The present invention includes a low resolution cantilever portion supported by a support portion and integrally formed with heater laminating portions, heater portions formed at the heater laminating portions, piezoresistive elements provided at bending portions and a movable portion having a low resolution stylus and a high resolution cantilever portion supported by the support portion and integrally formed with piezoresistive elements provided at the bending portions and a movable portion having a high resolution stylus.

Abstract: A storage device and a method for scanning a storage medium. A storage medium for storing data in the form of marks is scanned by an array of probes for mark detecting purposes in a scanning mode. The storage medium has fields with each field to be scanned by an associated one of the probes. At least one of the fields has marks representing operational data for operating the scanning mode. Scanning parameters are computed from the operational data and the scanning mode is adjusted according to the computed parameters.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a substrate having a plane surface. An optical path is disposed on the substrate and extends in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate. A recess intercepts the optical path. An optical element is provided for modifying light incident thereon. The optical element is moveable within the recess between a first position in which the optical element is located in the path and a second position in which optical element is remote from the path. A cantilever suspends the optical element for movement within the recess between the second and first positions in a direction normal to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A device has a first object and a second object each with an at least partially parallel surface facing the other. The device also has an oscillator for creating an oscillation of a medium between the first and second objects to generate an air bearing between the first and second objects. Relative movement between the first and second objects is permitted via this configuration. A method for creating an air bearing between two at least partially parallel surfaces facing each other is also provided.

Abstract: A measuring method and apparatus of a scanning probe microscope which is easy to initially set caused by exchanging a cantilever. A cantilever is effected of Z rough movement while forcibly vibrating a sample. When a contact pressure of the cantilever against the sample becomes a predetermined magnitude, the Z rough movement is ended. The forcible vibrational frequency may be a new resonant frequency caused by contacting the cantilever with the sample, or a shift resonant frequency. Then, XY scanning is effected to measure while putting the cantilever into light contact with a sample surface. It is possible to use, as an apparatus to forcibly vibrate the cantilever, a multi-layer piezoelectric element that responds to an output signal from an oscillator for outputting a signal at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a substrate having a plane surface. An optical path is disposed on the substrate and extends in a plane parallel to the surface of the substrate. A recess intercepts the optical path. An optical element is provided for modifying light incident thereon. The optical element is moveable within the recess between a first position in which the optical element is located in the path and a second position in which optical element is remote from the path. A cantilever suspends the optical element for movement within the recess between the second and first positions in a direction normal to the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A device has a first object and a second object each with an at least partially parallel surface facing the other. The device also has an oscillator for creating an oscillation of a medium between the first and second objects to generate an air bearing between the first and second objects. Relative movement between the first and second objects is permitted via this configuration. A method for creating an air bearing between two at least partially parallel surfaces facing each other is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving a first object relative to a second object is provided. One of the first and second objects is moved and thereby guided by a tracking device. The tracking device uses a pattern on the first object and/or second object and a releasable clamping device for holding the first and second object in contact. The first and second object can then be releasably clamped such that the patterns match and the clamping device holds the first and second object in a position defined by the pattern. This invention is particularly well suited for nanomechanical or micromechanical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microprobe capable of simplifying constitution, capable of promoting measurement accuracy of sample face and capable of dispensing with alignment adjustment at each measurement and a scanning type probe apparatus using thereof.

Abstract: Scheme for enriching an input network with knowledge from a fractal semantic knowledge network. The input network comprises objects and pointers between these objects, and the knowledge network comprises semantic units, and a plurality of Jani, whereby any of these Jani is associated with one or more of the semantic units such that the respective Janus is able to operate on one or more of the semantic units. The following steps are carried out: finding a counterpart element for an object or a pointer by looking for a semantic unit that is related to the object or the pointer; establishing a classification connection between the object or the pointer and its counterpart element; assigning the module that is associated with the counterpart element, if any, to the object or the pointer; examining the objects' or the pointers' neighborhoods in the input network by comparing them with the counterpart elements' neighborhoods in knowledge network to verify the classification connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer storage systems which have a tip (24) directed close or in contact to the storage medium (10) by which bit-writing and bit-reading is enforced. It is proposed to use a magnetizable storage medium (10), expose it to an artificial, external magnetic field H coupled externally to the storage medium, and—during bit writing—to concurrently apply heat very locally in bit size dimension in order to let the external magnetic field become locally larger than the (temperature-dependent) coercive field at the location (32) where heat is applied.

Abstract: An investigation and/or manipulation tool for a sample which is locally deformed when subjected to a local heat treatment includes a power supply for heating a tip of the tool wherein the tool has a structure such that the power supplied to the tip heats substantially only the tip of the tool and includes a region of relatively high heat conductivity that provides fast cooling of the tip when power is not supplied to the tip.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of forming ultrasmall (nano) structures in a thin film provided on a substrate by means of a tip which is movable relative to the surface of the thin film. According to principles of the invention, the penetration depth of the tip is limited, thereby avoiding wear of the tip. Furthermore, an apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A micromechanical signal processing system includes an oscillating member designed to oscillate at a first frequency, a micromechanical pump oscillator being driven so as to oscillate at a second frequency, with the second frequency being greater than the first frequency, and a non-linear coupling element to couple the micromechanical pump oscillator to the oscillating member. These elements are arranged such that energy from the micromechanical pump oscillator is transferred via said non-linear coupling element into the oscillating member to compensate for its losses if the oscillating member oscillates at the first frequency.

Abstract: The present invention concerns mechanical signal processing comprising a mechanical adder as a basic building block. Such a mechanical adder (40), which is a basic element of the present invention, comprises a first micromechanical member (40.1) being sensitive to a first frequency (f.sub.1) and a second micromechanical member (40.2) being sensitive to a second frequency (f.sub.2). The two micromechanical members (40.1, 40.2) are coupled via a linear coupling (41) to provide a superposition (sum) of the two frequencies (f.sub.1 and f.sub.2). Based on the adder, AND-gates and OR-gates can be realized by adding further micromechanical members and appropriate linear and non-linear coupling elements.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a cantilever arrangement for scanning a surface. This arrangement comprises a first cantilever having a first probe and a second cantilever having a second probe. Both cantilevers are mechanically coupled such that the second cantilever follows the movement of the first cantilever, i.e. the deflection of the first cantilever defines the deflection of the second cantilever.

Abstract: The present application concerns an apparatus for data acquisition and control to be used in connection with a scanning probe system. This apparatus comprises positioning means (3), used to provide for a relative, lateral scan movement of a sample to be scanned and a probe of said scanning probe system, and interface means (1) for processing analog signals (z1, z2) generated by the probe, and for conversion of these analog signals into digital data signals (d1, d2). The apparatus further comprises a converter (4) for conversion of said digital data signals (d1, d2) into composite video signals, and a process controller (2) connected to the positioning means (3), interface means (1) and converter (4) for the control and management of the operation of the scanning probe system.

Abstract: A fine-positioning apparatus for a scanning probe microscope includes magnetic solenoid actuators for each of the x, y and z scanning axes of the microscope. The sample is mounted on the coil of one of the actuators for movement of the sample in the z direction while the tunnelling probe is attached to two other solenoid actuators for movement of the probe in the x and y directions.

Abstract: A sharp point (5) is brought so close to the surface of a sample (4) to be investigated that the forces occurring between the atoms at the apex of the point (5) and those at the surface cause a spring-like cantilever (7) to deflect. The cantilever (7) forms one electrode of a tunneling microscope, the other electrode being a sharp tip (8). The deflection of the cantilever (7) provokes a variation of the tunnel current, and that variation is used to generate a correction signal which can be employed to control the distance between said point (5) and the sample (4), in order, for example, to maintain the force between them constant as the point (5) is scanned across the surface of the sample (4) by means of an xyz-drive (3). In certain modes of operation, either the sample (4) or the cantilever (7) may be excited to oscillate in z-direction. If the oscillation is at the resonance frequency of the cantilever (7), the resolution is enhanced.