Abstract: Methods of writing information to an optical memory device. The methods comprise the step of writing a mark to the active material of the optical memory device by irradiating the material with an applied energy source. In one embodiment, the applied energy source provides a plurality of energy pulses. In another embodiment, energy in excess of that required to form a mark is released and dissipated in a manner that minimizes mark enlargement, spurious mark formation, recrystallization and back crystallization. The methods are effective to provide better cooling characteristics through enhancement of the capacitive cooling contribution.

Abstract: A storage device includes an electrically conductive storage medium and a probe having a tip that is electrically conductive. The tip is electrically contacted to the storage medium and is adapted to form a dent in the storage medium. The tip is also adapted to cooperate with the storage medium to provide a variable resistance based on whether the tip is engaged in the dent.

Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device includes a moveable mass supported within a frame. To support the mass within the frame, a first flexure extends between the mass and the frame. An angle softening element is positioned between a first end of the first flexure and the frame to allow angular movement of the first flexure.

Abstract: Methods for storing data are provided. Preferably, the method includes the steps of: providing a data storage device, and preventing an emitter associated with a first data cluster of the data storage device from writing data to another one of the data clusters. Data storage devices also are provided.

Abstract: Pits are exposed and formed on a resist master disc by an electron beam recorder. A leading end and a trailing end of each pit are substantially the same form. The electron beam recorder includes: an electron beam source that discharges electron beams; a voltage controller that generates voltages based on a predetermined information signals; control electrodes that deflect the electron beams based on the voltages; a shield plate having a passing position to pass the electron beams and a shielding position to shield the electron beams; and a turntable that carries and rotates the disc. The voltage controller controls the voltages applied to the control electrodes to substantially equalize a first velocity of the electron beams to travel from a first shielding position to the passing position with a second velocity of the electron beams to travel from the passing position to a second shielding position.

Abstract: An ultra-high-density data storage device that relies on optical signals. The device includes a luminescent layer that emits light when stimulated by an electron beam. The device also includes a phase-change layer that contains data bits that may absorb or reflect the stimulated light before the light reaches a detector. Also, a method of data storage and retrieval that includes writing data bits in the phase-change layer, stimulating emissions in the luminescent layer, and reading data bits by monitoring the amount of light that reaches the detector.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a method for enabling fast and high density recording of information. A voltage is applied to a recording layer formed between a pair of electrodes. The distance between the pair of electrodes is set wider at one of land and groove areas of a subject optical disk and narrower at the other, or the disk has multi-recording layer structure and light absorption occurs only in the layer on which coloring voltage is applied. The optical disk is provided with a layer of which light absorption spectrum changes according to the application of voltage, thereby absorbing the light. The layer may be the recording layer itself or a layer adjacent to the recording layer. Because a heat generates only in a selected area of the optical disk at the time of recording, the disk can also avoid cross-talks between layers during reading and can be turned rapidly and permissively to the auto focusing and tracking offsets, thereby enabling fast and high density recording.

Abstract: A data storage unit includes a data storage layer with multiple storage areas having a storage medium disposed thereon that changes between a plurality of states for writing and reading information. An array of beam emitters, such as laser light probes or near-field light sources, are spaced in close proximity to the data storage layer. A layer (LASL) adjacent to the storage layer generates carriers (electrons, holes or photons) in response to the light beams. Data is read by directing a light beam onto the data storage layer. The storage medium on the data storage layer affects the generation of carriers or alters the transport of carriers after generation by the LASL, depending upon the state of the storage medium. The carriers are detected in a detection region in carrier communication with the LASL to detect the presence of data. The detection region may comprise any type of region for detecting carriers, including a semiconductor diode junction and a photoconductive region.

Abstract: A data storage unit having a data storage layer with multiple storage areas having a medium disposed thereon that changes between a plurality of states for writing and reading information thereon includes an array of light emitters, such as laser light probes or near-field light sources, spaced in close proximity to the data storage layer for selectively directing light beams to the data storage layer during write and read phases. Data is stored by directing a first light beam to the medium to change to a state representative of data. Data is read by exciting the storage areas with a second directed light beam on the medium. Alternately, the light energy beams in the write or read phases may be generated by a near-field optical system generating evanescent fields. The medium generates electron-hole pairs having substantially different activity in each storage area, depending upon its state.

Abstract: A storage device has a stator layer, an emitter layer, and a rotor layer. The rotor layer has a plurality of data clusters, each having a substrate which is electrically isolated from the other data clusters by a dielectric material. Another storage device has a means for electrically isolating a plurality of data clusters, each having phase change media coupled to a conductive substrate, from each other. The storage device also has a means for reading a differential signal from each of the data clusters based on currents which flow from the phase change media to the conductive substrate in each data cluster. A method of electrically isolating conductive regions on a micromover device is also provided.

Abstract: A vertical magnetic recording apparatus is provided which can diminish thermal decay of magnetization to ensure a high reliability of the life of recorded information and which can stably effect the write of magnetic information. Light assist is performed by obliquely applying light to a gap between a main pole of a vertical recording head and a medium. The light is radiated from the head side of the apparatus with respect to the medium. Utilizing the present invention, the thermal decay of magnetization at room temperature is diminished, the life of the recorded information is increased, and the storage reliability of the disk is increased.

Abstract: In an information recording apparatus for recording information onto a recording medium by utilizing a technology in a near-field microscope, the information recording apparatus carries out recording with reliability and density. An optical probe (1) or micro-cantilever (12) utilized in a near-field microscope is used as a recording probe (26). The recording probe (26) at its tip is heated by laser light (28) illumination or heating by an electric heating element to radiate microscopic-region thermal energy through the tip to a recording medium (3). This makes it possible to record microscopically information onto the recording medium (3) that varies in physical properties due to heating. Furthermore, thermal energy is provided to a recording position through an auxiliary heat radiating means thereby enabling recording more positively.

Abstract: A data storage device includes a storage medium and a contact probe. The storage medium includes a first polymeric layer, and a second polymeric layer on the first polymeric layer. The first polymeric layer is electrically conductive. The contact probe faces the second polymeric layer.

Abstract: The present invention is capable of selectively reproducing an information signal from an optical disk with any of a plurality of types having different track pitches of recording tracks, that is, capable of selectively reproducing an information signal from an optical disk having a low or high recording density by determining the type of the optical disk, that is, determining whether a mounted optical disk is a low-recording-density optical disk or a high-recording-density optical disk. The present invention deliberately generates aberration in an optical beam by controlling a voltage applied to a liquid-crystal device in order to vary the diameter of the optical beam in accordance with the determined type of the optical disk.

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 state of the storage area.

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 100 MHz.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus realizes reliable information reproduction with a simple structure. Illumination light 20 is illuminated to the recording medium 10 to create near-field light on a surface of the recording medium 10. The created near-field light is scattered by a microscopic aperture 12 formed in the aperture element 11 so that scattering light (propagation light) thereof is detected to create a reproduced signal. Derived from the created reproduced light a distance control signal representative of a distance between the microscopic aperture 12 and the recording medium 10. Based on the distance control signal, the aperture element 11 is controlled in position. Due to this, the microscopic aperture 12 is brought into proximity to the recording medium 10.

Abstract: The record condition extraction system (1) of a dielectric recording medium is intended to obtain an applied voltage and an applied time length to be recorded when recording information in the dielectric recording medium. The record condition extraction system (1) is provided with: an applied voltage setting device (11); an applied time length setting device (12); a record control device (13); an applied voltage/applied time length record device (14); a record device (15); a dot radius measurement device (16); a dot radius record device (17); an optimum dot radius detection device (18); a record condition determination device (19); and an output device (20). The applied voltage setting device (11) and the applied time length setting device (12) set a voltage and a time applied to a probe (31) of the record device (15), respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting and repairing defects in semiconductor devices. According to the invention, defects are located using a scanning probe microscope, such as an atomic force microscope or a scanning tunneling microscope, and repaired at locations determined by the scanning probe microscope. The microscope itself, and in particular the detection tip, may be employed to remove the defects. For example, the tip may be used to machine away the defect, to apply an electric field to oxidize the defect, and/or to heat the defect causing it to burn or vaporize. By combining precise defect location capabilities of a scanning probe microscope with defect removal, the invention permits very precise correction of defects such as excess material and foreign particles on semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a data storage device, comprising a plurality of electron emitters adapted to emit electron beams, the electron emitters each having a planar emission surface, and a storage medium in proximity to the electron emitter, the storage medium having a plurality of storage areas that are capable of at least two distinct states that represent data, the state of the storage areas being changeable in response to bombardment by electron beams emitted by the electron emitters.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium having a plurality of charge accumulating regions each containing a first material capable of accumulating an electric charge and a photoconductive region containing a second material whose conductivity is increased by light absorption, a recording apparatus including such a recording medium, and a method recording information on such a recording medium. In the present invention, information is recorded on the recording medium by irradiating the photoconductive region with light and by injecting an electric charge into the charge accumulating region via that portion of the photoconductive region which is irradiated with light.

Abstract: The data to be recorded onto a recording medium is directly spread and then recorded onto the recording medium through a needle-shaped member, such as a probe. Upon reproducing the data, the data read from the recording medium is de-spread and reproduced.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing head is provided with: a substrate which has a predetermined width and a predetermined thickness and which is long in one direction; a probe disposed on one end in the longitudinal direction of the substrate; a lead wire disposed on a surface of the substrate provided with the probe thereon, i.e. the lead wire disposed on a surface facing to the dielectric recording medium; and an electric conductor, i.e. a return electrode, disposed so as to surround the probe and the lead wire. The probe is covered with a conductive film as well as connected with the lead wire. Via the lead wire, a signal for recording is inputted from an external device or a signal for reproducing is led to an external device.

Abstract: A data recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus. The apparatus may include one or more buffer memories, a recorder, a controller, and/or a reproducing unit. Continuous picture and/or speech data may be stored, recorded, and/or reproduced. The size of a recording unit may be controlled such that it corresponds to the amount of picture and/or speech data recorded by the recorder.

Abstract: Methods are provided for overwriting data in a probe-based data storage device (1) wherein data is represented by the presence and absence of pits formed in a storage surface (4) by a probe of the device. Input data is first coded such that successive bits of a first value in the coded input data are separated by at least one bit of the other value. Overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are generated from the coded input data bits b0, b1, b2, . . . , and the overwrite data bits v0, v1, v2, . . . , are then used to overwrite data on the storage surface (4). According to a first method, the overwrite data bits are generated such that, if a pit represents a bit of said first value in the data storage device (1) then vi={overscore (b)}i−1, for i≧1 and v0 has said first value, and if a pit represents a bit of said other value in the data storage device (1) then vi=bi−1 for i≧1 and v0 has said other value.

Abstract: Described is a method for reading an array of sensors having a set of row conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding row of the array and a set of column conductors each connected to the sensors in a corresponding column of the array such that each sensor is connected between a row conductor and a column conductor. The method comprises: for each row of sensors in the array, performing a read cycle comprising applying an activation pulse to the corresponding row conductor to activate the sensors in the row, applying a reading pulse to the row conductor on expiry of a predetermined time interval from an edge of the activation pulse, and during the reading pulse, detecting, for each sensor in the row, a value dependent on a variable characteristic of that sensor. The read cycle for at least one row is commenced during the predetermined time interval of the read cycle for another row.

Abstract: An optical information storage medium has multiple information layers. On each layer, information is stored in the form of an electroluminescent material. The pits are organized into regions called pages. A specific page on a specific layer can be addressed through electrodes integrated into the medium. The medium can be read-only or WORM. For the WORM embodiment, a recordable electroluminescent material is combined with a quencher and a free radical generating compound that, when thermally degraded, generates free radicals to bleach the quencher. To amplify the light from an information layer, a photoconductive layer and an additional electroluminescent layer can be provided.

Abstract: Data is recovered from a write-once optical disk having data written on it. The disk is composed of a substrate and a dye layer. The data was originally written to the dye layer as patterns of pits and lands, but the dye layer is subject to corruption due to ageing so that the data cannot be read by a conventional read process. The data is recovered by exposing the surface of the substrate, measuring deformations to that layer caused by the write process, and extracting the data from the measured deformations by classifying the measured deformations into deformations typical of predetermined patterns of pits and lands.

Abstract: An ultra-high-density data storage device that includes at least one energy beam emitter and a data storage medium that itself includes an organic material. The organic material may include one or more Langmuir-Blodgett layers and may include a conductive polymer. Localized presence or absence of localized disorder in the Langmuir-Blodgett layers may be used to detect data bits formed in the data storage medium. The presence or absence of one-dimensional conductivity in the organic material may also be used to read data bits formed in the data storage medium.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided, such data storage device including a storage medium having a data storage location, and at least one emitter adapted to emit an electron beam generally aligned with the data storage location. The data storage device also includes a beam deflector including plural steering electrodes configured to selectively adjust positional alignment of the electron beam relative the data storage location.

Abstract: A focus-detecting emitter for a data storage device is provided, such focus-detecting emitter including a first emission zone configured to selectively produce a first electron beam portion, and a second emission zone configured to selectively produce a second electron beam portion. The first electron beam portion generates a first spot on a storage medium and the second electron beam portion generates a second spot on the storage medium such that a position of at least one of the first spot and the second spot is indicative of a focus state of at least one of the first electron beam portion and the second electron beam portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of emitter clusters for a data storage device are provided, each such emitter cluster including a plurality of electron sources. Each electron source is configured to emit an electron beam to form a collective spot on a storage medium.

Abstract: Piezoelectric driving type tracking device and method for fabricating the same, the device including a tracking object supporting plate for seating and supporting a tracking object, a plurality of first piezoelectric actuators each having one side connected to one of opposite sides of the tracking object supporting plate for moving the tracking object supporting plate in an X direction, a gimbal connected to the other sides of the first piezoelectric actuators for transmitting a force to move the tracking object supporting plate in a Y direction, a plurality of second piezoelectric actuators each having one side connected to the gimbal for moving the tracking object supporting plate in a Y direction, and supporting parts connected to the other sides of the plurality of second piezoelectric actuators for supporting the tracking object supporting plate overhung from the surface, the first and second piezoelectric actuators, and the gimbal, thereby providing a large movement at a low driving voltage, and permitt

Abstract: The present invention includes a chemical monolayer construction that comprises: (a) a substrate having a contact surface; and (b) a plurality of substantially parallel molecular units, wherein said molecular units are attached to said substrate so as to be strongly coupled electronically to said substrate, such as through a conjugated bond. The present invention also includes electronic circuit components and devices including a chemical monolayer construction of the present invention.

Abstract: According to the invention, in selecting an analyzed area of a scanning atom probe (SAP), there is adopted a method of using a tip of the lead-out electrode of SAP as a scanning probe of a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and drawing a surface shape of a sample to thereby select the analyzed area and with regard to the tip of the lead-out electrode of SAP, there is formed an exclusive probe in a needle-like shape by a CVD micromaching technology or a lithographic method using focused ion beam in order to promote accuracy of the scanning probe of STM. Further, a conical dome of a conductive material is formed at the tip of the conical electrode mechanically formed by using a CVD fabricating method using focused ion beam and the tip is shaped by sputter etching to thereby form the lead-out electrode near to an ideal shape.

Abstract: An orientation inspector for LCD cell is utilized to inspect the LCD cell. The LCD cell includes two transparent substrates wherein the first transparent substrate is slightly bigger than the second transparent substrate and a step is formed on the first transparent substrate along the two side edges thereof. The orientation inspector for LCD cell comprises a main body connected to a hoister which can lower the main body to a predetermined position to stop the step at side edge of the LCD cell; a sensor disposed in the main body for detecting the step at side edge of the LCD cell below the main body, wherein when the body stops the step at side edge of the LCD cell and the sensor detects the step on the first transparent substrate, the sensor will confirm that the LCD cell is at correct orientation, and when the main body stops the side edge of the LCD cell and the sensor can not detect the step on the first transparent substrate, the sensor will confirm that the LCD cell is not at correct orientation.

Abstract: An accelerometer includes a field emitter to generate an electron beam current and a medium. An effect is generated when the electron beam current bombards the medium. The magnitude of the effect is affected by a physical impact imparting an amount of energy to the accelerometer to cause a relative movement between the field emitter and the medium. The amount of energy imparted to the accelerometer by the physical impact is determined by measuring the magnitude of the effect. The accelerometer can be integrally implemented in a storage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a measuring device which extracts, from an inputted data signal, a clock signal in which there is little internal occurrence of absence or phase fluctuations, and correctly carries out measurement of an error ratio or jitter or wander accompanying transmission of the data signal by using the clock signal. A band-pass filter extracts, from the inputted data signal, a signal component having a same frequency as that of a clock signal to be regenerated. A binarizing circuit binarizes the extracted signal component at a predetermined threshold value, and outputs it as a regenerated clock signal. At this time, the binarizing circuit is configured such that, when there is a same code continuing period in the data signal, the binarizing circuit binarizes the signal outputted during the period by relaxation vibration at an interior of the band-pass filter, so as to compensate for absence of the clock signal during the period.

Abstract: A header of a nano storing apparatus is disclosed. If some cantilevers of the header are defective, an additional extra cantilever array is substitutively used. The header of a nano storing apparatus including: a cantilevery array including cantilevers each having a probe that is able to read and write information of the ‘n’ number of rows and the ‘m’ number of columns, an X-redundancy cantilever array to be used as a substitute when cantilever probes of a specific row in the cantilever array are defective; a Y-redundancy cantilever array to be used as a substitute when cantilever probes of a specific column in the cantilever array are defective; and a header controller for controlling each part.

Abstract: Memory storage devices that employ atomic resolution storage technology are provided. A preferred memory storage device includes a storage medium that defines one or more coverage areas. Each of the coverage areas incorporates a storage area that is configurable in one of a plurality of structural states. Typically, the structural states represent information stored in the storage area. Electron beam emitters electrically communicate with the storage medium, with the storage medium and the emitters being configured to move relative to each other. So configured, each emitter is capable of providing a beam of electrons to a respective one of the coverage areas. The memory storage device also includes a first current source that selectively electrically communicates with at least one of the emitters. Additionally, a control system electrically communicates with the first current source that facilitates a controlled current flow from the first current source to the at least one emitter.

Abstract: The present invention includes a chemical monolayer construction that comprises: (a) a substrate having a contact surface; and (b) a plurality of substantially parallel molecular units, wherein said molecular units are attached to said substrate so as to be strongly coupled electronically to said substrate, such as through a conjugated bond. The present invention also includes electronic circuit components and devices including a chemical monolayer construction of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for read/write data onto a recording medium by using a nano-tip array and a data storage device incorporating the nano-tip array. The nano-tip array is fabricated on a silicon on insulator wafer to form a multiplicity of silicon micro-tips first by a MEMS technique, followed by forming integrally on each one of the multiplicity of silicon micro-tips at least one carbon nanotube extending outwardly away from the one micro-tip. The data storage device further includes an anode with a multiplicity of apertures therein with each apertures corresponding to one of the multiplicity of silicon micro-tips, and a recording medium that has an active surface positioned immediately adjacent to the multiplicity of silicon micro-tips.

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 present invention relates to an information storage medium and an optical device for reproducing information recorded in the information storage medium. In the information storage medium, the initial phase of any cell in the information layer is a crystal phase or an amorphous phase, and either of the two phases is changed into the other phase by electronic heating. Since reflectivity to incident light is different in accordance with phase of the cell, information recorded on the medium may be reproduced by using the above property.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus for reproducing information recorded on a recording medium by utilizing near-field light, the recording apparatus realizes reliable information reproduction with a simple structure. Illumination light 20 is illuminated to the recording medium 10 to create near-field light on a surface of the recording medium 10. The created near-field light is scattered by a microscopic aperture 12 formed in the aperture element 11 so that scattering light (propagation light) thereof is detected to create a reproduced signal. Derived from the created reproduced light a distance control signal representative of a distance between the microscopic aperture 12 and the recording medium 10. Based on the distance control signal, the aperture element 11 is controlled in position. Due to this, the microscopic aperture 12 is brought into proximity to the recording medium 10.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for overwriting data in a probe-based data storage device in which data bits are represented by the presence and absence of pits at bit positions on a storage surface, the pits being formed in the storage surface by a probe mechanism of the device. Input data is coded to generate a coded bit sequence and an overwrite technique is employed to record the coded bit sequence on the storage surface over an old, previously-recorded bit sequence. Together with the properties of the coded bit sequence, the overwrite technique exploits the physical mechanism of the write process in that, with appropriate spacing of the bit positions on the storage surface, writing a pit at a bit position can erase an existing pit within a defined number of neighboring bit positions.

Abstract: A storage device has a stator layer, an emitter layer, and a rotor layer. The rotor layer has a plurality of data clusters, each having a substrate which is electrically isolated from the other data clusters by a dielectric material. Another storage device has a means for electrically isolating a plurality of data clusters, each having phase change media coupled to a conductive substrate, from each other. The storage device also has a means for reading a differential signal from each of the data clusters based on currents which flow from the phase change media to the conductive substrate in each data cluster. A method of electrically isolating conductive regions on a micromover device is also provided.

Abstract: A dielectric recording/reproducing head is provided with: a probe; a return electrode for returning a high-frequency component of an electric field applied from the probe; and bias electrodes, which are placed under the return electrode. By applying a voltage stronger than a coercive electric field between the probe and each of the bias electrodes, polarization domains are formed which have polarization directions parallel to a surface of a dielectric recording medium. The polarization directions are determined by selecting the bias electrode to which the voltage is applied, and four types of data are recorded on a predetermined site of the dielectric recording medium, which allows multivalued recording. Moreover, the polarization directions of the polarization domains are detected by an electric field which is formed by applying a voltage between the bias electrodes and which is parallel to the surface of the dielectric recording medium, causing data to be read out.

Abstract: There is provided a circular guard so as to surround the vicinity of a tip portion of a probe mounted on an information recording/reading head, in order to prevent dusts from touching and colliding with the probe.

Abstract: A representative data storage medium includes: a substrate; and a plurality of elongate, carrier molecules anchored to the substrate. Each carrier molecule carries one or more luminescent groups and is alterable between a readable conformation in which the luminescent groups carried by the molecule are able to emit radiation and an inactive conformation in which the luminescent groups carried by the molecule are inhibited from emitting radiation. A writer to and reader of the data storage medium are also disclosed.