Patents by Inventor Donald M. Eigler

Donald M. Eigler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9437269
    Abstract: An antiferromagnetic nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of at least two antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic atoms having at least two magnetic states that are stable for at least one picosecond even in the absence of interaction with an external structure, the array having a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero, wherein the array has 100 atoms or less along a longest dimension thereof. An atomic-scale structure according to one embodiment has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero; two or more stable magnetic states; and having an array of atoms that has magnetic moments that alternate between adjacent magnetic atoms along one or more directions. Such structures may be used to store data at ultra-high densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Donald M. Eigler, Andreas J. Heinrich, Sebastian Loth, Christopher P. Lutz
  • Publication number: 20160203851
    Abstract: An antiferromagnetic nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of at least two antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic atoms having at least two magnetic states that are stable for at least one picosecond even in the absence of interaction with an external structure, the array having a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero, wherein the array has 100 atoms or less along a longest dimension thereof. An atomic-scale structure according to one embodiment has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero; two or more stable magnetic states; and having an array of atoms that has magnetic moments that alternate between adjacent magnetic atoms along one or more directions. Such structures may be used to store data at ultra-high densities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: DONALD M. EIGLER, ANDREAS J. HEINRICH, SEBASTIAN LOTH, CHRISTOPHER P. LUTZ
  • Patent number: 9343130
    Abstract: An atomic-scale structure according to one embodiment has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero, two or more stable magnetic states, and an array of atoms that has magnetic moments that alternate between adjacent magnetic atoms along one or more directions. Such structures may be used to store data at ultra-high densities. An antiferromagnetic nanostructure according to another embodiment includes multiple arrays each corresponding to a bit. Each array has at least eight antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic atoms. Each array has at least two readable magnetic states that are stable for at least one picosecond. Each array has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero. No external stabilizing structure exerts influence over the arrays for stabilizing the arrays. Each array has 100 atoms or less along a longest dimension thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Donald M. Eigler, Andreas J. Heinrich, Sebastian Loth, Christopher P. Lutz
  • Publication number: 20140185371
    Abstract: An atomic-scale structure according to one embodiment has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero, two or more stable magnetic states, and an array of atoms that has magnetic moments that alternate between adjacent magnetic atoms along one or more directions. Such structures may be used to store data at ultra-high densities. An antiferromagnetic nanostructure according to another embodiment includes multiple arrays each corresponding to a bit. Each array has at least eight antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic atoms. Each array has at least two readable magnetic states that are stable for at least one picosecond. Each array has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero. No external stabilizing structure exerts influence over the arrays for stabilizing the arrays. Each array has 100 atoms or less along a longest dimension thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Eigler, Andreas J. Heinrich, Sebastian Loth, Christopher P. Lutz
  • Patent number: 8724376
    Abstract: An antiferromagnetic nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of at least two antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic atoms having at least two magnetic states that are stable for at least one picosecond even in the absence of interaction with an external structure, the array having a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero, wherein the array has 100 atoms or less along a longest dimension thereof. An atomic-scale structure according to one embodiment has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero; two or more stable magnetic states; and having an array of atoms that has magnetic moments that alternate between adjacent magnetic atoms along one or more directions. Such structures may be used to store data at ultra-high densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Eigler, Andreas J. Heinrich, Sebastian Loth, Christopher P. Lutz
  • Publication number: 20130070518
    Abstract: An antiferromagnetic nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of at least two antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic atoms having at least two magnetic states that are stable for at least one picosecond even in the absence of interaction with an external structure, the array having a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero, wherein the array has 100 atoms or less along a longest dimension thereof. An atomic-scale structure according to one embodiment has a net magnetic moment of zero or about zero; two or more stable magnetic states; and having an array of atoms that has magnetic moments that alternate between adjacent magnetic atoms along one or more directions. Such structures may be used to store data at ultra-high densities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Eigler, Andreas J. Heinrich, Sebastian Loth, Christopher P. Lutz
  • Patent number: 5323376
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an atomic scale electronic switch; wherein the position of one or more atoms or molecules is or are varied to control the state of the switch. The switch includes a plurality of fixed terminals approximately separated less than 100 .ANG.. Controlling the state of the switch is accomplished by applying a voltage or current to the terminals, thereby moving at least one atoms toward a desired terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines
    Inventor: Donald M. Eigler
  • Patent number: 5166919
    Abstract: The present invention relate to an atomic scale electronic switch wherein the position of one or more atoms (12, 20) or molecules is varied to control the state of the switch. Terminals (10, 11, 21-23) may be tips of scanning tunneling microscopes or STMs. A change in position of the switch will result in a change in conductance between the spaced apart terminals. Voltage or current pulses cause the switching element (12) to change positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Donald M. Eigler
  • Patent number: 5144148
    Abstract: A method and structure in which an adsorbate atom or molecule is repositioned on a substrate surface by moving the tip of an STM to a position adjacent to the atom to be moved and causing the atom to be attracted to the tip. While the atom remains bound to the surface (or, alternatively, is lifted), the tip is moved laterally to drag (or carry) the atom to a desired position at which it is bound to the surface.The atom may be repositioned in close proximity to an atom of the same or another type on the same or a different substrate to create a desired multi-atom structure or synthesize a molecule, or an atom may be removed to cleave a multi-atom structure, or a change in state of a multi-atom structure may be effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Donald M. Eigler
  • Patent number: 4987312
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for repositioning an adsorbate atom or molecule on a substrate surface by moving the tip of a STM to a position adjacent the atom to be moved and subsequently increasing the attraction between the tip and atom by moving the tip closer to the substrate, and then, while the atom remains bound to the surface, moving the tip laterally to drag the atom to a desired position on the surface. The tip is then moved away from the substrate, reducing the attraction between the atom and tip and leaving the atom bound at the desired position.The atom may be repositioned in close proximity to an atom of the same or another type on the same or a different substrate to create a desired multi-atom structure or synthesize a molecule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Donald M. Eigler