Abstract: This invention provides a high switching rate tip for a high density recording system using scanning probe microscope (SPM). This new tip improves the switching rate in a data writing operation. This tip is constituted with a non-magnetic material core and a thin film coat of high permeable magnetic material. The diameter of the tip is on the order of 100 nm and the thickness of the high permeable magnetic coat is approximately 1000-2000 angstroms. The core is made of non magnetic material such as W, Pt, Ir, PtIr and Au. The magnetic coat is, for example, NiFe, CoZrNb, CoFeSiB. Further, this invention adopts a flat coil formed on a medium by lithography. The coil is used to switch the magnetization of the tip. This flat coil improves the process of the fabrication of a SXM recording device.

Abstract: To provide a lubricant supply being capable of supplying adequate lubricant over a long period in a magnetic disk unit comprising a lubricant supply to reduce friction between a magnetic disk and magnetic head. A unit of the invention can supply lubricant uniformly to a magnetic disk, and easily controls supply volume. This comprises a material impregnated with lubricant having sufficient lubricant to supply over a long period, a thin film to supply predetermined lubricant to a disk surface, the film permeable by lubricant from the material impregnated with lubricant, and a clamp assembly to fix the material impregnated with lubricant and the thin film to the disk. The thin film is fixed on the disk and compressed by a compression part formed at the edge of the clamp assembly. The degree of compression controls lubricant supply to the disk.

Abstract: Tunneling microscopy can be used to observe simultaneously the topography of a sample surface that is conductive and data related to the magnetic field near the surface. A tunneling microscope apparatus has a cantilever supporting a tip which has a magnetic moment. To use the apparatus according to a first preferred method, a magnetic field alternating at a predetermined frequency is produced by the sample near the sample surface to vibrate the tip by a magnetic interaction with the magnetic moment. To use the apparatus according to a second preferred method, the direction of the magnetic moment of the tip is switched at a predetermined frequency to vibrate the tip by creating an interaction between the magnetic moment and a magnetic field of the sample. For both preferred methods, the tip is maintained at a distance from the sample surface so as to permit a tunneling current to flow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a muffler which includes a first expansion chamber, a second expansion chamber, a resonator chamber, and an inlet pipe having a first open end and a second open end. The first open end of the inlet pipe is inserted into the first expansion chamber so as to communicate with the latter. A resonator pipe runs substantially in a coaxial relationship with the inlet pipe so as to establish communication between the first expansion chamber and the resonant chamber. A return pipe is disposed between the resonator chamber and the second expansion chamber and passes through the first expansion chamber for establishing communication between the first expansion chamber and the second expansion chamber. An outlet pipe communicates with the second expansion chamber. The improvement comprises that said return pipe has an open end and is inserted with the open end into said resonator chamber, while the inserted open end thereof is sealed with a plug.