Abstract: An information recording/reproducing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a recording layer, and a recording circuit which records data to the recording layer by generating a phase change in the recording layer. The recording layer includes a first chemical compound having one of a Wolframite structure and a Scheelite structure.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage apparatus includes: a plurality of first wirings; a plurality of second wirings which cross the plurality of first wirings; and a memory cell which is connected between both the wirings at an intersection of the first and second wirings, and includes a variable resistive element operative to store information according to a change in resistance and includes a variable resistive element, wherein the memory cell is formed so that a cross section area of the variable resistive element becomes smaller than a cross section area of the other portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices comprises forming a first wiring material; and stacking memory cell materials on the first wiring material, which configure memory cells each including a variable resistor operative to nonvolatilely store information in accordance with variation in resistance. The method also comprises forming a plurality of first parallel trenches in the first wiring material and the stacked memory cell materials, the first trenches extending in a first direction, thereby forming first lines extending in the first direction and memory cell materials self-aligned with the first lines and separated by the first trenches. The method further comprises burying an interlayer insulator in the first trenches to form a block body and stacking a second wiring material on the block body.

Abstract: There is proposed a nonvolatile information recording and reproducing device with low power consumption and high thermal stability. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a recording layer and a unit for recording information by applying a voltage to the recording layer to generate a state change in the recording layer. The recording layer being configured to include at least a first compound having a hollandite structure.

Abstract: A probe memory device carries out positioning with the use of a servo pattern provided in a servo area on a recording medium, and the recording medium and a probe head section are reciprocatingly moved (scan-moved) by vibration at a specific frequency in a one-axis direction. At this time, based on information from the servo area, relative position information between the recording medium and the probe head section is acquired, the relative position information is processed at a control section, and then, feedback control is carried out for carrying out position correction relative to an actuator.

Abstract: A nonvolatile information recording and reproducing device exhibits low power consumption and high thermal stability. The information recording and reproducing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a recording layer and a unit for recording information by applying a voltage to the recording layer to generate a resistance change to be caused due to a phase change in the recording layer. The recording layer includes a material having a ramsdelite structure.

Abstract: There is proposed a nonvolatile information recording/reproducing device with low power consumption and high thermal stability. The information recording/reproducing device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a recording layer, and mechanism for recording information by generating a phase change in the recording layer while applying a voltage to the recording layer. The recording layer is comprised one of a Wolframite structure and a Scheelite structure.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte using a constituent material, which has high energy density and a high level of safety. The constituent material includes a positive electrode having a lithium compound-containing active material and a current collector, and a negative electrode facing the positive electrode. The negative electrode an active material and a current collector. At least one of the current collectors being formed of an assembly of rectangular sheet pieces. The constituent material satisfies formula S/???×d, where d represents distance between the current collectors which face each other; S represents the largest facing area in one rectangular sheet piece in the positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode current collector; ? represents aspect ratio of one rectangular sheet piece in the positive electrode or negative electrode current collector; and ? is a coeffieient which is a number of 900 to 720.

Abstract: There are provided a constituent material for a rechargeable battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte and a rechargeable battery with a nonaqueous electrolyte, using the constituent material, which has high energy density and a high level of safety.

Abstract: Disclosed is a boride material for electronic elements, which is represented by a chemical formula of A.sub.1-x E.sub.x B.sub.12 (where A is Zr of Hf, E is Sc or Y, and 0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.9) and the crystal system of which is a cubic one at a temperature not lower than its phase transition temperature and is a hexagonal one at a temperature not higher than its phase transition temperature. The boride material is prepared by mixing oxide powders or sulfate powders of the constitutive elements A and E and a boron powder followed by shaping the powder mixture and then sintering the shaped body.