Abstract: A method for fast, high-density data storage in a data storage device having plural storage sections that includes overwriting and reformatting of entire storage sections, each having a large storage capacity. New or changed data is written continuously on free storage sites of a particular storage section until it is filled. Data from the newly-filled section is restructured and copied to a target section. Additional data is then stored onto a second storage section while the first storage section is restructured and copied. The previously-filled section may be reformatted to store new data after the second storage section is filled with data. The process may be repeated to allow for continuous data storage.

Abstract: A method and device for storage and retrieval of digitized information. The digitized information storage device consists of a storage medium, a particle ray source, and control and detection electronics. The particle ray source may consist of an electron, ion, or positron beam, a combination of these sources, or an array of one or more of those. The storage medium may consist of a single layer, possibly a compound material, which is susceptible to a structural phase transition, such as a change in morphology, topography, composition, defect concentration or adsorbing bonding characteristics under the influence of the scanning particle ray at recording parameters. The storage medium may also be comprised of two or more different layers, which are chosen from materials which are not intermixing or alloying and which have distinctly different electron or ion adsorption parameters, secondary electron emission characteristics, as well as thermal and structural properties.