Abstract: In a non-volatile phase change memory, information is recorded by utilizing a change in resistance of a phase change portion. When the phase change portion is allowed to generate Joule's heat and is held at a specific temperature, it goes into a state of a low resistance. When the gate voltage of a memory cell selection transistor QM is controlled to afford a low resistance state, the maximum amount of current applied to the phase change portion is limited by the application of a medium-state voltage to the control gate, thereby avoiding overheating of the phase change portion.

Abstract: The magnetic recording medium provided is produced by forming a substrate having a nanoparticle layer comprising an array of nanoparticles, and an organic compound between said array of nanoparticles; irradiating the nanoparticle layer with an infrared beam to magnetize the nanoparticles; applying a magnetic field to the nanoparticle layer to orient easy axis of magnetization of the magnetic nanoparticles in a substantially uniform direction; and irradiating the nanoparticle layer with an ultraviolet beam to bind said organic compound to thereby produce a magnetic recording medium wherein easy axis of magnetization of the nanoparticles has been oriented in a direction substantially parallel to a direction at a particular angle with the substrate. The resulting magnetic recording medium experiences no deterioration of the underlying layer or the soft magnetic layer, and exhibits good magnetic properties.

Abstract: In a non-volatile phase change memory, information is recorded by utilizing a change in resistance of a phase change portion. When the phase change portion is allowed to generate Joule's heat and is held at a specific temperature, it goes into a state of a low resistance. When the gate voltage of a memory cell selection transistor QM is controlled to afford a low resistance state, the maximum amount of current applied to the phase change portion is limited by the application of a medium-state voltage to the control gate, thereby avoiding overheating of the phase change portion.

Abstract: To achieve stable, high capacity, high speed recording. Of two light beams emitted from a light irradiation means, one or two beams are made pass through an optical path changeable member whereof at least one of the thickness and refractive index changes continuously or in two or more steps immediately after emission from the light irradiation means, so that a difference is introduced into the optical path length of the two beams, and the focusing point of one beam is made to vary to coincide with a position in the recording layer used for playback or recording. Another light beam is used for servo. Converging of light during recording or read of a multilayer recording medium is performed with higher precision than in the prior art, so higher density, higher capacity recording/playback can be performed.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to avoid an unselected data line being driven in a memory array composed of memory cells each of which uses a storage element depending upon variable resistance and a selection transistor when the selection transistors in all memory cells on a selected word line conduct. To achieve the object, a source line parallel to a data line is provided, a precharge circuit for equipotentially driving both and a circuit for selectively driving the source line are arranged. Owing to this configuration, a current path is created in only a cell selected by a row decoder and a column decoder and a read-out signal can be generated. Therefore, a lower-power, lower-noise and more highly integrated nonvolatile memory such as a phase change memory can be realized, compared with a conventional type.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical recording medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, wherein the prepit portion includes first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction. A prepit of the respective first and second prepit portions is arranged on a boundary of the respective tracks, the first prepit portion having an address information prepit and a synchronous information prepit and the second prepit having a synchronous information prepit. The prepits of the first and second portions are arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction and are arranged with one track displaced in the radial direction with a gap being provided between the first and second prepit portions. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: A reproducing method for reproducing information from an optical recording medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, the prepit portion including first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction and arranged on a boundary line of the respective tracks. The first and second prepit portions each have address information prepits arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction, and the address information prepit of the first and second prepit portions are arranged with one track displaced in the radial direction. A trailing end of an end prepit of the first prepit portion is aligned with the radial direction. The method includes irradiating an optical spot on the medium, detecting a reflected beam from the medium, and reproducing information on the medium by using a signal obtained by the reflected beam.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical recording medium having grooves and lands alternately provided in a radial direction and having information recording areas formed thereon, and at least one prepit region where a groove is not formed. In the prepit region, first and second information marks are disposed on a virtual extension of respectively a first boundary between one groove and one adjacent land and a second boundary between the one groove and an other adjacent land, the information marks being disposed so as not to exist at opposing positions on both of the first and second boundaries of the one groove. The first and second information marks include synchronous information and address information and a trailing edge of the first information marks is aligned in the radial direction. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: A reproducing method for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, the prepit portion including first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction and arranged on a boundary line of the respective tracks. The first and second prepit portions each have address information prepits arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction, and the address information prepit of the first and second prepit portions are arranged with one track displaced in the radial direction. The method includes irradiating an optical spot on the medium, detecting a reflected beam from the medium, and reproducing information on the medium by using a signal obtained by the reflected beam.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, the prepit portion including a first and a second prepit portion divided in a track direction with respective first and second prepit portions being arranged on a boundary of the respective tracks. The first prepit portion includes a synchronous information prepit and the second prepit portion includes a synchronous information prepit which are arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction and arranged at opposite boundaries of the same track. A trailing end of the first prepit portion is aligned with the radial direction in the arrangement. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: With a high-speed nonvolatile phase change memory, reliability in respect of the number of refresh times is enhanced. In a memory cell forming area of a phase change memory using a MISFET as a transistor for selection of memory cells, a phase change material layer of a memory cell comprising a resistor element, using a phase change material, is formed for common use. As a result, variation in shape and a change in composition of the phase change material, caused by isolation of memory cell elements by etching, are reduced, thereby enhancing reliability of memory cells, in respect of the number of refresh times.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell and forming method thereof utilizes a vertical select transistor to eliminate the problem of a large cell surface area in memory cells of the related art utilizing phase changes. A memory cell with a smaller surface area than the DRAM device of the related art is achieved by the present invention. Besides low power consumption during read operation, the invention also provides phase change memory having low power consumption even during write operation. Phase change memory also has stable read-out operation.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information to an optical recording medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, the prepit portion including first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction and arranged on a boundary line of the respective tracks, the first and second prepit portions each having address information prepits arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction. The address information prepit of the first and second prepit portions being arranged with one track displaced in the radial direction, and a trailing end of an end prepit of the first prepit portion being aligned with the radial direction. The recording apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, and a controller for controlling an irradiation position of an optical spot from the irradiation source.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory cell and forming method thereof utilizes a vertical select transistor to eliminate the problem of a large cell surface area in memory cells of the related art utilizing phase changes. A memory cell with a smaller surface area than the DRAM device of the related art is achieved by the present invention. Besides low power consumption during read operation, the invention also provides phase change memory having low power consumption even during write operation. Phase change memory also has stable read-out operation.

Abstract: With a high-speed nonvolatile phase change memory, reliability in respect of the number of refresh times is enhanced. In a memory cell forming area of a phase change memory using a MISFET as a transistor for selection of memory cells, a phase change material layer of a memory cell comprising a resistor element, using a phase change material, is formed for common use. As a result, variation in shape and a change in composition of the phase change material, caused by isolation of memory cell elements by etching, are reduced, thereby enhancing reliability of memory cells, in respect of the number of refresh times.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information to an optical recording medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, the prepit portion including first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction, and a prepit of respective first and second prepit portions being arranged on a boundary of the respective tracks. The first prepit portion having an address information prepit and a synchronous information prepit, and the second prepit portion having a synchronous information prepit. The prepit of the first and second prepit portions being arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction. The apparatus including an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, and a controller for controlling an irradiation position of an optical spot from the irradiation source.

Abstract: A recording method for an optical medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, and the prepit portion including first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction wit a synchronous information prepit of the respective first and second prepit portion being arranged on a boundary of the respective tracks. The first and second prepit portions include the synchronous information prepit arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction. The first and second prepit portions are arranged at opposite boundaries of the same track, and the prepit portion includes a gap between the first and second prepit portions. The method includes providing the optical medium, and recording information on the optical medium by irradiating an optical spot thereon.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information to an optical recording medium having grooves and lands alternately provided in a radial direction, information recording areas being formed in both of the grooves and the lands, and at least one prepit region where no grooves is formed. In the prepit region, first and second information marks are disposed on a virtual extension of respectively a first boundary between one groove and one adjacent land a second boundary between the one groove and an other adjacent land, the first and second information marks being disposed so as not to exist at opposing positions on both of the first and second boundaries of the one groove. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, and a controller for controlling an irradiation position of an optical spot from the irradiation source.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording information to an optical recording medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, the prepit portion including first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction and arranged on a boundary line of the respective tracks. The first and second prepit portions each have address information prepits arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction, and the address information prepit of the first and second prepit portions are arranged with one track displaced in the radial direction. A gap portion lies between first and second prepit portions. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the optical recording medium, and a controller for controlling an irradiation position of an optical spot from the irradiation source.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus for reproducing information recorded on an optical medium having an aligned prepit portion straddled on a plurality of tracks in a radial direction, the prepit portion including first and second prepit portions divided in a track direction, the respective first and second prepit portion being arranged on a boundary of the respective tracks. The first and second prepit portions include a synchronous information prepit arranged at every two-track pitch in the radial direction. The synchronous information prepit of the first and second prepit portions are arranged at opposite boundaries of the same track, and a trailing end of the first prepit portion is aligned with the radial direction in arrangement. The apparatus includes an irradiation source for irradiating a light spot on the medium, a detector for detecting a reflected light from the medium, and a reproducer for reproducing information by using a signal from the detector.