Abstract: A master-disc-manufacturing apparatus includes an electron-beam emitting portion for emitting an electron beam, an electron-beam converging portion for converging an electron beam, a retarding voltage applying portion for applying a substrate with a negative potential having a magnitude of decelerating the electron beam, and a vacuum atmosphere producing portion for evacuating a chamber to produce a vacuum atmosphere therein.

Abstract: An information recording medium using a substrate having light transmittancy permitting high density recording to be achieved and a recording method permitting such an information recording medium using a substrate having light transmittancy to be recorded in a high density are provided. The information recording medium is formed by layering an ITO film and EB resist on a transparent insulating substrate formed of a glass material having light transmittancy. At the time of recording information, as the ITO film is set at a ground potential, an electron beam having recording information is irradiated upon a surface of the EB resist for a prescribed scanning to perform electron beam exposure, and pits corresponding to the information to be recorded are formed at the exposed positions.

Abstract: An optical pickup for an optical storage device includes a stem, a substrate mounted on the stem, and a laser diode mounted on the substrate. The substrate is integrally formed with an optical signal detector and an error signal detector for focusing error detection and tracking error detection. A cap is mounted on the stem so as to accommodate the substrate and the laser diode. A beam splitter unit including a polarization beam splitter and a beam splitting element is mounted on the cap. A hologram for diffracting a reflected beam toward the error signal detector is interposed between the cap and the beam splitter unit. The substrate is biased at a given potential, and has an insulating film opposed to the stem.

Abstract: A preferred data storage system includes a memory storage device that incorporates a storage medium and electron beam emitters which are configured to electrically communicate with the storage medium. The storage medium and the emitters are configured to move relative to each other so that each emitter may provide a beam of electrons within a respective coverage area of the storage medium. Each coverage area includes at least one storage area which is configurable in at least two structural states, which represent information stored in the storage areas. A data recovery system also is provided which is communicatively coupled with the memory storage device. The data recovery system is configured to determine whether a first emitter of the memory storage device has failed and to recover information stored in at least one of the storage areas of the first emitter with a second emitter of the memory storage device. Computer readable media and methods also are provided.

Abstract: A very-high-density memory device which utilizes a scintillating medium for data storage. In one mode, the device operates as a read-only-memory (ROM) unit. In another mode, the device functions as a one-time-write (OTW) and then read-only-memory unit. In an exemplary embodiment, information is read at high data rates from a rotating data-storage disk or cylinder with an electron beam and sensitive photodetector. Two methods of following the data tracks on the storage medium are provided. Masks are provided for use in patterning the data or data tracks. These masks may also be used to pattern very-high-density media for other applications such as magnetic memory and optical near-field memory. A method of patterning radially-periodic structures using interferometric lithography is also provided.

Abstract: A micromechanically fabricated read/write head for charge storage devices comprising a supporting base, a cantilever and a tip with a shaft and frontside end. The supporting base, cantilever and tip form one integral part made of electrically conducting material. The frontside end of the tip is so designed as to allow writing and reading of information in direct contact with the surface of a charge storage device. The shaft of the tip has a small diameter and is surrounded by a strengthening shell.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing a circumferential data string from a recording medium, there are provided a scanning mechanism for performing relative movement of the probe and the recording medium so that the probe scans the recording medium, a driving circuit for supplying a drive signal to the scanning mechanism so as to permit the probe to scan the recording medium circumferentially, an oscillation circuit for performing micro-vibration of the probe in a direction perpendicular to the data string, a detection circuit for detecting a signal that corresponds to a positional deviation of the probe from the data string, and a multiplier for multiplying the signal that is detected and the drive signal.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus for performing recording/reproduction by running a probe relative to a recording bit string on a recording medium and detecting recording bits in the recording bit string, comprising a plural-recording-bit-detection device for letting the probe perform plural recording bit detections as taking positions thereof shifted relative to a same recording bit string on the recording medium; and a recording bit determining device for performing determination of true recording bit, based on the results of the plural recording bit detections.

Abstract: A data storage system that includes a positioning system for positioning the write/read mechanism and the storage medium of the data storage device with respect to each other in first and second predefined directions. The positioning system comprises a positioning apparatus comprising microfabricated first and second positioning assemblies. The positioning system further comprises a controller to position a positionable support structure of the first positioning assembly in a first predefined direction within a range of positioning that is larger than the range of movement of a moveable support structure of the first positioning assembly by controlling (A) a stationary support structure clamp in clamping and unclamping the positionable structure to and from the support structure, (B) a moveable structure clamp in clamping and unclamping the positionable support structure to and from the moveable support structure, and (C) the movement of the moveable support structure.

Abstract: An ultrahigh vacuum focused ion beam micromilling apparatus and process are isclosed. Additionally, a durable data storage medium using the micromilling process is disclosed, the durable data storage medium capable of storing, e.g., digital or alphanumeric characters as well as graphical shapes or characters.

Abstract: A magnetic memory device comprises: a vertically magnetic recording medium; a probe formed of an electrically conductive as well as soft-magnetic material, a pointed end of the probe faces the magnetically recording medium across a gap; a magnetic flux detecting element for detecting a magnetic flux caught by the probe, where the magnetic flux is from a data recorded on the magnetically recording medium; a vertical controller for keeping the gap constant by the use of a tunnel current flowing via said gap into the probe while a voltage is applied across the gap; and a scan mechanism for scanning the probe along the magnetically recording medium. The magnetic memory device may further comprises an exciting coil for magnetizing the probe so as to write a data in the magnetically recording medium. The probe may be recessed from the scanning position when the probe is not in operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precision machining a surface suitable for use as a data recorder, using a scanning probe microscope (SPM) capable of observing an electrically insulating surface. The SPM includes a probe which comprises a tip having a pointed end, and also including a conductive layer applied on a surface of the tip. The tip is brought into close proximity to the surface which is to be machined and a machining voltage is applied between the tip and the surface to machine the surface.

Abstract: An electron beam shaping mask for an electron beam with pattern writing capability, includes a substrate with various opening patterns and metallic films, which are respectively formed on top- and bottom-surfaces of the substrate. The metallic films serve as foundation metallic layers. According to the structure, a total thickness of the metallic layer is divided into the two thin metallic films. Since the substrate is protected from both sides by the metallic films, its thickness can be made to be thin. Therefore, a highly accurate patterning can be easily performed, and thermal stresses can be decreased and exfoliations of the metallic films can be avoided.

Abstract: An improvement on the information record/reproducing apparatus, utilizing a tunnel current generated in a flat information recording medium by a needle-shaped probe electrode positioned close to the recording medium. In order to prevent deterioration of the probe and the recording medium by the atmosphere, these components are hermetically sealed in a container, with or without the driving mechanism. The sealed structure is made detachable from the main apparatus, thus facilitating manufacture, replacement and maintenance.

Abstract: A storage device including many field emitters in close proximity to a storage medium, and a micromover, all in a partial vacuum. Each field emitter can generate an electron beam current. The storage medium has many storage areas on it, with each field emitter responsible for a number of storage areas. Also, each storage area can be in a number of different states to represent the information stored in that area. In storing information to the storage device, the power density of an electron beam current is increased to change the state of the storage area bombarded by the electron beam current. In reading information from the device, the power density of the electron beam current is reduced to generate a signal current from the storage area bombarded by the electron beam current. During reading, the power density is selected to be low enough so that no writing occurs. The magnitude of the signal current depends on the states of the storage area.

Abstract: An image information processing apparatus for processing image information includes a total curvature calculating unit, mean curvature calculating unit, a logical product computing unit and a median filter. A total curvature at each pixel of the image information is calculated by the total curvature calculating unit. A mean curvature at each pixel of the image information is calculated by the mean curvature calculating unit. The logical product computing unit executes computation of a logical product of outputs from the total curvature calculating unit and the mean curvature calculating unit. An output from the logical product computing unit is filtered by the median filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for inputting and/or outputting information includes a plurality of probes arranged at positions respectively facing each of the plural blocks which carry information, a device for enabling the plurality of probes to respectively perform tracking independently, and a device for inputting information to and/or outputting information from the information carrier by the use of the aforesaid probes.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing method writes information in the form of bits by the physical interaction between a probe and a recording medium opposed to the probe. The method includes a recording step of recording information by shifting a forming position of each bit by a predetermined shift amount in a horizontal direction of the recording medium in accordance with information, and a reproducing step of reproducing the information, based on the shift amount of each recorded bit in the horizontal direction of the recording medium. A recording and reproducing apparatus is so constructed as to perform the steps.

Abstract: An information processor for performing at least one of recording information at a high density, reproducing and erasing information by applying the principle of a scanning tunnel microscope (STM) or an atomic force microscope (AFM) and an information processing method using the information processor. The information .processor is used with a recording medium comprising a recording layer having a characteristic of one of an insulator and a semiconductor. The processor includes a substrate electrode in the recording medium, at least one probe electrode disposed close to the recording medium, and at least one of a circuit for applying an information recording pulse voltage and a circuit for applying an information reproducing pulse voltage. A maximum difference in surface level of a 1.times.1 .mu.m surface region of the substrate electrode is 1 nm or less, and the radius of curvature of a tip of the probe electrode is in the range of 0.1 to 200 .mu.m.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by two-dimensionally scanning the surface of the recording medium with a probe electrode includes a detector to detect data indicative of the surface information of the recording medium by using a physical interaction which occurs between the probe electrode and the recording medium, another detector to detect predicted data to predict the surface information of the recording medium from the data by using predetermined predictive parameters, and a reproducing unit to reproduce the information recorded on the recording medium by using the data and the predicted data, for example, on the basis of the difference between them. The apparatus also has a learning unit to optimize the predictive parameters on the basis of the data and the predicted data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning probe microscope for observing the surface of a sample therethrough by the use of a probe including a probe, means for causing the sample and the probe to scan relative to each other, means for applying an AC voltage between the sample and the probe, and means for detecting an electric current flowing between the sample and the probe at a predetermined phase point of the AC voltage, the surface of the sample being observed on the basis of the detected electric current. The specification also discloses an information recording-reproducing apparatus using such probe microscope.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided with a plurality of probes facing a sample, a signal detection circuit, a selection circuit and a memory circuit. The signal detection circuit is selectively connected to the plurality of probes by the selection circuit. A compensation value for compensating for a variation in a detection signal detected by the signal detection circuit when the selection circuit connects one of the plurality of probes to the detection circuit is stored in the memory circuit. The compensation value is provided for the respective probe.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising a diamond illuminated with ultraviolet radiation, a light source for illuminating the diamond with visible light, and a means for measuring a photocurrent induced in the diamond. The ultraviolet radiation has wavelengths shorter than about 230 nm corresponding to the energy bandgap of the diamond and is made to impinge on the diamond. Then, the light which has wavelengths longer than about 230 nm is made to impinge on the diamond. The photocurrent induced in the diamond is measured. In this way, the amount of the previously emitted ultraviolet radiation having wavelengths shorter than about 230 nm is known. Although the diamond is a primary substance to be illuminated, the substance to be illuminated comprises a material selected from a group consisting of diamond, boron nitride, aluminum nitride and a multi-layer thereof.

Abstract: A molecular memory medium for storing digital bits at a density of several hundred million per square centimeter. The medium is read and written by a tunnelling probe, and comprises a plane surface and a means for moving the surface relative to the tunnelling probe. Arrayed on the surface are plural memory elements, each storing one bit, and having, relative to the surface, a first positional state and a second positional state, representing the first state and the second state, respectively, of the bit. The positional states are distinguished from one another by a difference in a tunnelling current in the tunnelling probe. The memory element is switched from one positional state to the other by an electrostatic force applied by the tunnelling probe.

Abstract: A high density storage medium which stores predetermined information by matching it on one-to-one basis with multiple levels of depth or height formed in predetermined plural areas of substrate surface, a storing method, a reading method and various systems using them have been disclosed.

Abstract: Information recording/reproducing apparatus and method by use of probe electrodes are disclosed. In this method, information to be recorded on a recording medium is encoded. The encoded information is distributed to a plurality of probe electrodes. The plurality of probe electrodes are driven on the basis of the distributed information so as to record the information on the recording medium. In reproduction, the information recorded on the recording medium is read out from the recording medium by use of the plurality of probe electrodes. The information read out from the recording medium is stored by use of the plurality of probe electrodes. The stored information is decoded to reproduce the information recorded on the recording medium. The encoding is performed by changing the information to be recorded to information added with an error correction code.

Abstract: In order to effect the reading-out of a signal from a recording medium at a high speed and without the collision of a probe electrode, the control of the spacing between the probe electrode and the signal recording layer of the recording medium is effected by sampling a tunnel current detected by the probe electrode at the timing of a reproduction clock, and reproduction is effected with this sampled value as a reference. Also, in order to effect information recording with good reproducibility and at high density, the control variable of a servo control circuit for controlling the spacing between the probe electrode and the recording layer is changed over during the periods before and after a writing pulse is applied to the probe electrode. Also, in order to effect re-recording reliably, the prior recorded state at the re-writing position is detected, and from the result of this detection, an optimal servo control variable, the waveform of a pulse voltage applied, etc. are set.

Abstract: A process for the specific, location-selective and time-stable modification of surfaces of solids in the nanometer range without destruction of the atomic order of the surface at the location of the structure or in the vicinity thereof, where a local delamination is caused at the surface of solids having a layered structure due to the action of a local probe. This process is used for the storage of information.

Abstract: An apparatus for relatively moving a probe facing an information carrier and recording information on and/or reproducing information from the information carrier with the probe provided with a detector for detecting an error in the probe.

Abstract: A driving apparatus for driving an object comprises a pair of piezoelectric elements, one of them being arranged on the one side of the object while the other of them on the other side of the object, and the respective electrode arrangement directions of the pair of piezoelectric elements being substantially identical to each other, and a control circuit which applies a predetermined voltage across the outer electrodes of the pair of piezoelectric elements respectively, gives an equipotential to the inner electrodes thereof, and causes the pair of piezoelectric elements to drive the object by varying the value of the potential given to the inner electrodes. Hence, the increased amount of a voltage applied to one piezoelectric element is exactly identical to the decreased amount for the other so as to make the extended and contracted amounts of the piezoelectric elements on both sides of the object the same.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus includes a recording medium and a reproducing probe, and reproduces information from a signal between the recording medium and the probe. The apparatus further includes a unit for obtaining reproduced information from each of a plurality of data unit areas of the recording medium under different conditions. By obtaining a plurality of different kinds of information from scanning each recording region under the different conditions in a reproducing operation, it is possible to perform correction by discriminating a change in a tunnel current reflecting a recording bit from a tunnel current caused by projections and recesses of the surface and to remove a resulting error.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an information recording medium for recording audio information, visual information, data information and so on and also to information recording and reproducing methods for recording and reproducing information on and from the information recording medium for the purpose of improving the recording density. In the present invention, information can be recorded in high density by recording, on the information recording medium comprising a base (1) and an information recording layer (10) formed on the base (1) and made of high temperature superconductive material, information in the form of a fine pattern of high temperature superconductive regions (12) and normal electroconductive regions (11). The recording of the information is carried out by radiating an oxygen ion beam to the information recording layer and controlling the amount of oxygen, contained in the high temperature superconductive material, to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A tracking error signal detecting apparatus includes a device for supplying an electron beam, a device for applying the electron beam to a tracking pattern formed on a recording medium, and a device for forming a tracking error signal on the basis of a signal produced from the tracking pattern upon application of the electron beam. An information recording-reproducing apparatus includes an applying device having a plurality of electron ray sources, a device for controlling the driving of the plurality of electron ray sources in response to a signal, a device for directing the electron rays from the electron ray sources to a recording medium, and a device for reproducing information from signals produced upon application of the electron rays to the recording medium.

Abstract: A method and a device for recording and reproducing information utilizing a work function variation of a recording medium, the recording medium being made of a material whose work function can vary according to a structural change thereof caused by the irradiation of an electromagnetic wave or electron beam.

Abstract: A microprobe is provided which comprises a single crystal provided on a part of one main surface of a substrate or a part of a thin film formed on one main surface of the substrate. The microprobe may have a single crystal having an apex portion surrounded by facets having a specific plane direction and comprising a specific crystal face. The method for preparing the microprobe and an electronic device employing the microprobe also provided which is useful for recording and reproducing.

Abstract: A recording-reproducing apparatus comprises a recording medium provided with a recording layer containing at least two kinds of compounds, which compounds respectively form phases, and having regular periodic structure comprising said phases as constituent units; a probe electrode disposed opposingly to said recording medium; a circuit for applying a voltage between said recording medium and probe electrode; and a circuit for detecting an electric current flowing between said recording medium and probe electrode. A recording-reproducing method comprises detecting by the use of a probe electrode, at least one phase on a recording medium of the apparatus and recording information or reproducing the recorded information at the position where said phase has been detected.

Abstract: A scanning tunnel-current-detecting device comprising at least two probe electrodes supported by a supporting member, a means for placing a sample in proximity to the probe electrodes, a means for applying voltage between the probe electrodes and the sample, at least one of the probe electrodes being provided with a mechanism for measuring and compensating variation of the distance between the supporting member and the sample, is provided.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device providing very high density information storage on an organomellic DCNQI charge transfer data storage medium. The medium is switched from one state to another through the application of an electric field to the medium by the probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope resulting in an observable change in the electron density of the surface of the medium.

Abstract: The invention is a method and device providing very high density information storage on an organometallic charge transfer data storage medium. The medium is switched from one state to another through the application of an electric field to the medium by the probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope resulting in an observable change in the electron density of the surface of the medium. A STM tip is used to write, read and erase data via the organometallic charge transfer medium (e.g. TCNQ, or derivatives thereof).

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.

Abstract: Provided is a method for reading information recorded in an information layer comprised of a fluorescent dye. In order to read the recorded information, the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope is passed over the information layer, said scanning tunneling microscope being of sufficient voltage to excite the fluorescent dye material to an excited state. Upon return of the dye material to ground state, fluorescence results. By measuring the fluorescence, or absence thereof, the recorded information can be deciphered.

Abstract: An electron beam imaging system is described wherein a sharp-tip electron source is biased to produce an electron flow and a conductive target is placed in the path of the electron flow. A planar, electrostatic lens is positioned in the electron flow path and between the electron source and target. The lens includes an aperture; at least a first conductive plane that is biased less negative than the electron source; and one or more conductive planes separated by dielectric layers. A secondary electron detector is formed on the surface of the electrostatic lens that is closest to the conductive target, whereby the lens may be positioned close to the target and still not obstruct secondary electrons emitted from the target from impinging on the secondary electron detector.

Abstract: A scanning tunnel-current-detecting device comprising at least two probe electrodes supported by a supporting member, a means for placing a sample in proximity to the probe electrodes, a means for applying voltage between the probe electrodes and the sample, at least one of the probe electrodes being provided with a mechanism for measuring and compensating variation of the distance between the supporting member and the sample, is provided.

Abstract: Provided is a method of reading information contained in an information medium by utilizing a scanning, tunneling microscope in conjunction with a substrate layer which fluoresces when high energy electrons pass into contact therewith. The method comprises providing an information medium comprised of an information layer which contains a track of information bits and the fluorescing substrate layer. A tip of a scanning tunneling microscope is then passed over the information layer, with the resulting fluorescence being measured. By utilizing the unique resolution available from the scanning tunneling microscope and the fluorescence of the substrate layer in order to read the information recorded, a surprisingly accurate and efficient method is achieved for reading highly densified information.

Abstract: Information stored in a thin polymer layer is read out in a process wherein information introduced into a thin polymer layer on a metallic or semiconductor layer by electromagnetic or particle rays which produce a permanent change in the properties of the polymer layer in the irradiated areas is read out using surface plasmons.

Abstract: Submicron structures are written on a surface by positioning in nanometer range proximity, preferably within current tunneling range, of the surface a scanning tip of a material that emits atoms upon application of an applied voltage of low magnitude. While the tip is maintained within said range, it is moved relative to the surface, and a series of short voltage pulses are concurrently applied between the tip and surface. These pulses cause atoms of tip material to directly transfer to the surface and concurrently cause remaining atoms of tip material to migrate to the tip and continuously reform the tip and maintain its sharp configuration, thereby insuring uninterrupted writing ability. Various tip materials exhibiting low field evaporation potentials may be used; however, gold is preferred if deposition is to be under ambient conditions. Heating the tip enhances the ability of the material to emit atoms. The deposited structures may be selectively sensed or erased by application of appropriate voltages.

Abstract: A method of and a device for sub-micron deforming a surface (15) is described, for example for the purpose of inscribing information. During scanning of the surface the tip (14) of a scanning tunneling microscrope is held at a constant distance from the surface by means of a negative feedback control loop (18) which is controlled by a tunneling current (It) between the tip and the surface, and for forming a pit (21) in the surface (15). The control loop is deactivated and a tip height drive member (8) is energized by means a control voltage (Vpz) whose amplitude increases as a function of time and which has a predetermined final value, such that the tip is lowered into the material.

Abstract: A scanning system for optoelectronically recorded signal patterns stored in a plural layer medium consisting of inorganic materials throughout and featuring a dielectric storage layer at the surface which faces an electron beam source. The source beam first searches for a position mark associated with an image frame on the medium in order to establish a precise home position of the beam and associated coordinate axes prior to commencing the scan operation on that medium frame. Then the beam scans a raster on the medium spending a certain dwell time at each resolution element of the raster. Each time a frame is reached, the system is capable of altering the beam current in response to a pre-recorded exposure code in order to achieve the optimal retrieval of all information stored image-wise within said frame.

Abstract: A device for reversible optical data storage, comprising polymer film, the film comprising an amorphous polymer capable of photochromic isomerization, whereby data is reversibly stored in said polymer film and may be read by illuminating the isomerized polymer film with a light source.

Abstract: A microfabricated microscope assembly including a piezoelectric bimorph cantilever arm mounted at one end to a first substrate. The free end of the canitlever arm has a tip mounted thereto for scanning a scanned surface mounted on a second substrate. The cantilever arm and the substrate are configured to carry out a predetermined write or read mode of operation, such as scanning tunneling microscopy or atomic force microscopy. The two substrates are spaced apart a fixed distance by spacer feet which project from one of the substrates and which have their ends fixed to ther surface of the other substrate by eutectic, aniodic, or adhesive bonding. An array of microfabricated microscope assemblies is formed using a plurality of individual assemblies. A number of different write/read modes of operation are accommodated, such as charge storage, molecular attachment, or magnetic domains.