Abstract: An assembly suitable for reading data based on thermal coupling. The assembly can realize resolution/density specifications that can transcend diffraction limited focused laser beam techniques. The assembly includes a temperature sensor supported by a head-like structure, the temperature sensor capable of monitoring thermal coupling between the sensor and a media, and a heater element for heating the temperature sensor. A controller is used for coordinating a mutual positioning of the head-like structure and the media so that changes of thermal coupling between the assembly and a media provide indicia of a media bit pattern.

Abstract: The invention discloses in one embodiment a parallel probe array (N×M) incorporating thermal near-field heaters (or writers) as well as magnetic sensors (or readers), which can be moved en bloc as well as independently of each other. To this end, the present invention uses a suitable controlling electronics for coordinating a parallel or quasi-parallel reading/writing, as well as controlling the positioning of an individual probe in an array. The control electronics enables the addressing of an individual or preselected set of probes, for controlling reading and/or writing, thereby securing the considerable advantage of versatility and efficiency of reading/writing in a parallel operation mode.

Abstract: The invention discloses an assembly/methodology for writing/erasing high-density data on a ferroelectric recording media. A preferred embodiment of the invention features a novel thermal near-field heater that may be employed in the assembly, particularly for realizing the methodology in a substantially thermal near-field mode. The invention provides advantages of data storage densities greater than that of diffraction limited systems, for example, data storage densities of approximately greater than 100 Gbit/inch2, and writing speeds approximately greater than 100 MHz.

Abstract: An optical system includes a spectrometer and a multipass optical probe. The multipass optical probe includes a retroreflective element such that light propagating, in a first direction, from the probe to a sample under test and passing through or reflecting from the sample under test, is reflected back in a second direction opposite the first direction, so as to pass through the sample under test a total of at least two times.

Abstract: The invention discloses novel apparatus/methodology for writing/erasing high-density data on a digital recording media. A preferred embodiment of the invention features a novel thermal near-field heater that may be employed in the apparatus, particularly for realizing the methodology in a substantially thermal near-field mode. The invention provides advantages of data storage densities greater than that of diffraction limited systems, for example, data storage densities of approximately greater than 100 Gbit/inch2, and writing speeds approximately greater than 100 MHz.

Abstract: The invention discloses an assembly comprising an adjustable heat flux mechanism suitable for thermally assisted information processing and control. In one embodiment, the assembly discloses a directed energy source for heating a media, a temperature sensing element for measuring/inferring the temperature of the media, and a controller for mutually positioning the energy output by the directed energy source and the media for thereby controlling the power directed to the media in accordance with the temperature sensing element.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method capable of writing/erasing high-density data, preferably on a phase-change recording media. A preferred embodiment of the invention features a novel thermal near-field heater that may be employed in an assembly enabled by the present method. The method may be preferably used for writing in a substantially thermal near-field mode. The invention provides advantages of writing densities greater than that of diffraction limited systems, for example, writing densities of approximately greater than 100 Gbit/inch2, and writing speeds approximately greater than 100 MHz.

Abstract: A thermally-assisted magnetic recording disk drive records data by heating a small region of the magnetic layer on the disk to near or above its Curie temperature while a write field is applied by a thin film inductive write head. The thin film inductive write head includes an electrically resistive heater located in the write gap between the pole tips of the write head. The resistive heater is sandwiched between first and second spacer layers that are located between the pole tips of the write head. In a current-perpendicular-to-the plane (CPP) embodiment, the spacer layers are electrically conductive and the pole tips serve as the electrical leads to provide electrical current in a direction generally perpendicular to the layer of resistive heater material. In a current-in-the plane (CIP) embodiment, the spacer layers are formed of insulating material and electrical leads are formed as portions of a film between the spacer layers and in contact with each side of the resistive heater.

Abstract: A thermal assembly comprising at once a reading-writing-erasing capability. The present invention, accordingly, can realize important advantages of providing dual yet independent capabilities or functionalities for manifesting reading-writing-erasing on the nanometer scale. An illustrative such thermal assembly includes a thermal heater for writing on a media; a temperature sensor capable of monitoring thermal coupling between the sensor and the media; and, a heater element for heating the temperature sensor.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for reading data based on thermal coupling. The assembly can realize resolution/density specifications that can transcend diffraction limited focused laser beam techniques. The assembly includes a temperature sensor supported by a head-like structure, the temperature sensor capable of monitoring thermal coupling between the sensor and a media, and a heater element for heating the temperature sensor. A controller is used for coordinating a mutual positioning of the head-like structure and the media so that changes of thermal coupling between the assembly and a media provide indicia of a media bit pattern.

Abstract: The invention discloses an assembly capable of writing/erasing high-density data, preferably on a phase-change recording media. A preferred embodiment of the invention features a novel thermal near-field heater that may be employed in the assembly, preferably for writing in a substantially thermal near-field mode. The invention provides advantages of writing densities greater than that of diffraction limited systems, for example, writing densities of approximately greater than 100 Gbit/inch2, and writing speeds approximately greater than 100MHz.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method capable of writing/erasing high-density data, preferably on a phase-change recording media. A preferred embodiment of the invention features a novel thermal near-field heater that may be employed in an assembly enabled by the present method. The method may be preferably used for writing in a substantially thermal near-field mode. The invention provides advantages of writing densities greater than that of diffraction limited systems, for example, writing densities of approximately greater than 100 Gbit/ inch2, and writing speeds approximately greater than 100MHz.

Abstract: The assembly of the present invention preferably writes by way of thermal near-field coupling between a thermal heater and a media. The thermal heater may comprise an atomic force microscope probe or a magnetic force microscope; and, preferably reads by way of a local magnetic sensor preferably comprising a magnetic force microscope which can yield spatial resolutions down to e.g., 250 Å.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reading an information signal from a magnetic storage medium using a magnetoresistive (MR) head, and separating a thermal signal component and, if present, a magnetic signal component from the information signal. A signal separation/restoration module eliminates distortion in the magnetic signal component of a readback signal induced by a thermal signal component of the readback signal. A finite impulse response (FIR) filter may be employed in the signal separation/restoration module to eliminate the distortion in the magnetic signal. The signal separation/restoration module may be employed to extract the thermal signal component from the readback signal. In one configuration, an MR head is coupled to an arm electronics (AE) module, having a highpass filtering behavior, and a signal separation/restoration module that includes an inverse filter having a transfer function inverse to that of the effective highpass filter of the AE module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a data storage medium having raised and lowered portions indicative of data stored on the medium. Energy is supplied to a sensor which is moved relative to, and in close proximity to, a surface of the medium on which the data in the form of raised and lowered portions is stored. The sensor and the storage medium are moved in relation thereto, such that the sensor remains at a substantially constant fly spacing therefrom. A decrease in temperature of the sensor is detected when it is in proximity to a variation, i.e., a raised portion on the medium. This detected decrease in temperature associated with a raised variation, e.g., asperity, can be used as the basis upon which to detect the data on the data storage medium. The data storage medium may also contain magnetically stored data, such that the surface variations and the magnetic characteristics of the data storage medium can both be utilized to store data thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing a data storage medium having raised and lowered portions indicative of data stored on the medium. Energy is supplied to a sensor which is moved relative to, and in close proximity to, a surface of the medium on which the data in the form of raised and lowered portions is stored. The sensor and the storage medium are moved in relation thereto, such that the sensor remains at a substantially constant fly spacing therefrom. A decrease in temperature of the sensor is detected when it is in proximity to a variation, i.e., a raised portion on the medium. This detected decrease in temperature associated with a raised variation, e.g., asperity, can be used as the basis upon which to detect the data on the data storage medium. The data storage medium may also contain magnetically stored data, such that the surface variations and the magnetic characteristics of the data storage medium can both be utilized to store data thereon.

Abstract: An assembly for measuring a trench depth parameter of a workpiece is disclosed. The assembly has an ultra-violet radiation source; a split fiber bundle having a first branch for propagating the ultra-violet radiation from the radiation source to a lens, and a second branch; a lens for focusing the UV radiation to the workpiece and refocusing an ultra-violet interference signal to the second branch; and a detector responsive to the ultra-violet interference signal received through the second branch. The detector transforms the ultra-violet interference signal to an electrical signal which is a measure of a trench depth of the workpiece. The ultra-violet interference signal is developed when ultra-violet radiation propagates through the workpiece and reflects from its base region to thereby interfere with ultra-violet radiation that is directly reflected by a workpiece surface which is different from the base region.

Abstract: A method for detecting and/or imaging a workpiece. In a detection aspect, the method comprises the steps of sampling an electromagnetic wave packet representative of workpiece properties and comprising encoded wave information derivable from a multi-pole interactive coupling between a probe tip and the workpiece; decoding said electromagnetic wave packet by interrogating at least one of its phase and amplitude information; and, using the decoding information as a means for detecting the presence of the workpiece. In an imaging aspect, the method includes incorporating the previous steps in a scanning operation for developing an image representative of the workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly for making thickness measurements in a thin film structure. The assembly comprises a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) subassembly for effecting topographical changes in a thin film structure; and, a measuring subassembly for detecting the thickness of a thin film structure, the measuring subassembly interposed with the CMP subassembly so that a thickness measurement can be made during and independent of CMP process operations.