Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling movements of a positioner of a micro-scanner, the method comprising: determining the vibration resonance frequency ranges of the positioner, and performing a main scan by a controlled movement of the positioner.

Abstract: A control method for tracking a provided reference signal in a dynamical system. The control method includes a control function for controlling a controlled element of the dynamical system, wherein the control function outputs a control signal depending on the reference signal indicating a desired setting of the controlled element and a feedback signal indicating an actual state of the controlled element. An internal state of the control function is modified at one or more discrete time instants while applying the control function at time periods not including the discrete time instants. The modification of the internal state depends on a signal external to the control function.

Abstract: A method of applying at least one programming pulse to the a PCM cell for programming the PCM cell to have a respective definite cell state, the definite cell state being defined by a definite resistance level using an annealing pulse or a melting pulse. The respective definite cell state represents two information entities, a step of applying a first reading pulse to the respective programmed PCM cell to provide a first resistance value, a step of applying at least a second reading pulse to the respective programmed PCM cell to provide a second resistance value, the first reading pulse and the second reading pulse being different pulses; and a step of determining the respective definite cell state of the respective programmed PCM cell dependent on the respective provided first resistance value and the respective provided second resistance value.

Abstract: A topography sensor and method include a probe configured to traverse a surface to determine a topography. A stray magnetic field is disposed in proximity to the probe. A magneto-resistive sensor is configured so that the stray magnetic field passing through it changes in accordance with positional changes of the probe as the probe tip traverses the surface.

Abstract: A position sensor and method include a magnetic component, a first magneto-resistive sensor disposed in proximity to the magnet/coil; and a second magneto-resistive sensor disposed in proximity to the magnetic component and the first magneto-resistive sensor. The first magneto-resistive sensor and second magneto-resistive sensor are configured to sense changes in a stray magnetic field created by the magnetic component in accordance with a relative positional change between the magnetic component and the first and second magneto-resistive sensors.

Abstract: A method and device for performing a program operation of a phase change memory (PCM) cell. The method includes the steps of applying one or more programming pulses according to a predefined programming scheme to achieve a target resistance level of the PCM cell, wherein the programming scheme is operable to perform in a first programming mode one or more annealing steps to approach the target resistance, wherein the programming scheme is operable to perform in a second programming mode one or more melting steps, wherein the programming scheme is operable to start in the first programming mode and to switch to the second programming mode if the target resistance level of the PCM cell has been undershot in the first programming mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for signal transformation for positioning control in positioning systems is provided. The positioning involves performing a signal transformation by determining a transform and an inverse transform between a triangular reference signal and a model reference signal with less frequency content, for transforming the triangular reference signal into a ramp signal; and providing a controller including a double integral module, configured for tracking the model reference signal with zero steady state error, for controlling a positioning system.

Abstract: A micro-electro mechanical device includes a first structure, a second structure offset from the first structure by a gap. The first structure is configured to be electrostatically actuated to deflect relative to second structure. A pulse generator is configured to combine at least two different pulses to electrostatically drive at least one of the first structure and the second structure between an initial position and a final position.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging and manipulation tool is provided. Techniques for creating a three-dimensional imaging and manipulation tool include combining high-resolution capability of a probe with three-dimensional imaging capability of a heater sensor. Also, techniques for positioning a nano-manipulation device relative to a surface are provided. The techniques include using a heater sensor for non-contact imaging, linking the heater sensor to the nano-manipulation device, and positioning the nano-manipulation relative device to a surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the topography of an object. A micro-cantilever with a scanning tip is provided. The micro-cantilever includes a thermal sensor. A biased voltage is applied across the thermal sensor. A resistance change of the thermal sensor is then identified. The bias voltage is then modulated, based on the resistance change to enhance the bandwidth and the sensitivity of the thermal sensor. Responsive to the scanning tip traversing a topographical variation on an object, the thermal sensor is vertically displaced with respect to the object, which induces a temperature change of the thermal sensor. A subsequent electrical resistance change of the thermal sensor is then identified, the subsequent electrical resistance change corresponding to a subsequent temperature change. The position of the object relative to the thermal sensor is then identified based on a difference between the initial electrical resistance and the subsequent electrical resistance.

Abstract: A position sensor and method include a magnetic component, a first magneto-resistive sensor disposed in proximity to the magnet/coil; and a second magneto-resistive sensor disposed in proximity to the magnetic component and the first magneto-resistive sensor. The first magneto-resistive sensor and second magneto-resistive sensor are configured to sense changes in a stray magnetic field created by the magnetic component in accordance with a relative positional change between the magnetic component and the first and second magneto-resistive sensors.

Abstract: A topography sensor and method include a probe configured to traverse a surface to determine a topography. A stray magnetic field is disposed in proximity to the probe. A magneto-resistive sensor is configured so that the stray magnetic field passing through it changes in accordance with positional changes of the probe as the probe tip traverses the surface.

Abstract: Tips including a platinum silicide at an apex of a single crystal silicon tip are provided herein. Also, techniques for creating a tip are provided. The techniques include depositing an amount of platinum (Pt) on a single crystal silicon tip, annealing the platinum and single crystal silicon tip to form a platinum silicide, and selectively etching the platinum with respect to the formed platinum silicide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for signal transformation for positioning control in positioning systems is provided. The positioning involves performing a signal transformation by determining a transform and an inverse transform between a triangular reference signal and a model reference signal with less frequency content, for transforming the triangular reference signal into a ramp signal; and providing a controller including a double integral module, configured for tracking the model reference signal with zero steady state error, for controlling a positioning system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling movements of a positioner of a micro-scanner, the method comprising: determining the vibration resonance frequency ranges of the positioner, and performing a main scan by a controlled movement of the positioner.

Abstract: System and method for generating a Position Error Signal (PES) reference curve in data storage devices are provided. The method includes scanning a distance of at least one Track Pitch (TP) in a cross-track direction in each servo-burst along a predefined path. One or more TPs in each servo-burst are scanned with a read head. The method further includes, calculating a plurality of samples of each differential signal. A differential signal corresponds to a first read-back signal and a second read-back signal. Thereafter, a plurality of normalized signals are determined. A normalized signal is determined by dividing each sample of the differential signal with a normalization constant. The plurality of normalized signals are combined to generate the PES reference curve.

Abstract: An approach to determine cantilever movement is presented. An observer based state estimation and statistical signal detection and estimation techniques are applied to Atomic Force Microscopes. A first mode approximation model of the cantilever is considered and an observer is designed to estimate the dynamic states. The cantilever-sample interaction is modeled as an impulsive force applied to the cantilever in order to detect the presence of sample. A generalized likelihood ratio test is performed to obtain the decision rule and the maximum likelihood estimation of the unknown arrival time of the sample profile and unknown magnitude of it. The use of the transient data results in sample detection at least ten times faster than using the steady state characteristics.

Abstract: System and method for generating a Position Error Signal (PES) reference curve in data storage devices are provided. The method includes scanning a distance of at least one Track Pitch (TP) in a cross-track direction in each servo-burst along a predefined path. One or more TPs in each servo-burst are scanned with a read head. The method further includes, calculating a plurality of samples of each differential signal. A differential signal corresponds to a first read-back signal and a second read-back signal. Thereafter, a plurality of normalized signals are determined. A normalized signal is determined by dividing each sample of the differential signal with a normalization constant. The plurality of normalized signals are combined to generate the PES reference curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controller comprising: at least two input terminals, each of which is configured to receive one of at least two input signals comprising information on a positioning of a scanner relative to a reference medium, and an output terminal, which is connectable to the scanner and configured to transmit an output signal, which is used for controlling the positioning of the scanner, wherein the controller further comprises: a processing unit being operable to designate a corresponding weighting function to each of the at least two input signals, a magnitude of the corresponding weighting function being selected to be in accordance with a noise profile of the input signal to which it has been designated; the processing unit further being operable to simultaneously use the at least two input signals, each with the corresponding weighting function designated thereto, to design a transfer function of the controller for use in the production of the output signal.

Abstract: An approach to determine cantilever movement is presented. An observer based state estimation and statistical signal detection and estimation techniques are applied to Atomic Force Microscopes. A first mode approximation model of the cantilever is considered and an observer is designed to estimate the dynamic states. The cantilever-sample interaction is modeled as an impulsive force applied to the cantilever in order to detect the presence of sample. A generalized likelihood ratio test is performed to obtain the decision rule and the maximum likelihood estimation of the unknown arrival time of the sample profile and unknown magnitude of it. The use of the transient data results in sample detection at least ten times faster than using the steady state characteristics.