Abstract: An encoder includes an electrically conductive reference scale having surface steps formed at predetermined positions; an electrically conductive probe having a tip disposed opposed to the reference scale; wherein the reference scale and the probe are relatively movable in a direction different from the opposing direction of the tip of the probe and the reference scale; a portion for applying an electrical voltage to between the reference scale and the probe; a portion for detecting a change in a tunnel current between the reference scale and the probe, to between which the electric voltage is applied by the voltage applying portion at the time of the relative movement between the scale and the probe, the detecting portion detecting the change in the tunnel current when the probe passes a position opposed to a surface step of the reference scale; and portion for detecting the amount of the relative movement between the scale and probe, on the basis of the detection by the change detecting portion.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device is comprised of a cantilevered beam positioned above, and free to move relative to, a substrate. The beam may carry a plurality of conductors which are insulated from one another. One or more tips is positioned on the beam with each tip being in electrical contact with one of the conductors. A memory device may be constructed by providing an array of such cantilevered beams proximate to a layer of media. Devices for positioning the beam in x and y directions perpendicular to each other and parallel to the layer of media and in a z direction perpendicular to the media are provided. A control circuit generates control signals input to the positioning devices for positioning the tips according to x, y, and z coordinates.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a recording medium using a plurality of probes includes a plurality of probes and a substrate for supporting the plurality of probes. A first electrode is provided on the substrate and a second substrate is provided on the recording medium. An electrostatic capacitance between the first and second electrodes is detected so that an interval between the substrate and the recording medium is adjusted on the basis of the detection result. One of the first and second electrodes has a plurality of electrodes end faces with different heights.

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: An information recording layer on a substrate provides a method of recording information by selectively opening the rings of dicyclopentadiene skeletons, thus recording information by forming cyclopentadiene skeletons. The information recorded by the method can be erased by the cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene skeletons. Information can also be recorded or erased by incorporating or eliminating a metal ion from a selectively opened section of a ring of a dicyclopentadiene skeleton after forming an organic thin film comprising the dicyclopentadiene skeleton. Alternatively, after the formation of an organic thin film comprising a cyclopentadiene skeleton, a heterocycle or a benzene ring, a metal ion is incorporated or eliminated from a section between at least two rings of the cyclopentadiene skeleton, the heterocycle or the benzene ring. Thereafter, a metallocene skeleton or a skeleton analogous to the metallocene skeleton is formed or eliminated, thus recording or erasing information.

Abstract: A fine-fabrication method of solid surfaces relates to a new surface fabrication method allows a solid-device surface to be fabricated at an atomic scale so as to produce an ultra-fine device or a device for recording information at an ultra-high density. A probe is installed with a tip thereof facing to the surface of a specimen to undergo fabrication. A voltage for forming an electric field is applied between the probe and the specimen. The electric field is large enough to field-evaporate atoms constituting the specimen or the probe; the electric field field-evaporates atoms constituting the specimen, removing them from the surface of the specimen; and as another alternative, the electric field field-evaporates atoms constituting the probe, depositing them on the surface of the specimen.

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 method for detecting transitions in an input signal having a DC component. The method includes the steps of generating a threshold signal from the input signal, comparing the input signal to the threshold signal to thereby generate an output signal, and adjusting the threshold signal in response to the output signal. In one preferred embodiment, the method is employed to retrieve data from an information storage device.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing system for multiple users is disclosed which includes a plurality of channels connected to multiple users, a data processing portion for processing a signal of input/output information of an optical disk, and an optical head portion for reading and writing the information of optical disk. The optical head portion has at least one ultra-slim, subminiature multi-head device commonly having at least two optical heads, thereby allowing individuals to process desired information at any time.

Abstract: Ferromagnetic/insulator/ferromagnetic tunneling has been shown to give over 10% change in the junction resistance with H less than 100 Oe, at room temperature but decreases at high dc-bias across the junction. Using such junctions as magnetic sensors or memory elements would have several advantages; it is a trilayer device and does not strongly depend on the thickness of FM electrodes or the tunnel barrier; submicron size is possible with high junction resistance and low power dissipation. The magnitude of the effect is consistent with the simple model of spin-polarized tunneling between ferromagnets.

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: Near-field optical apparatus according to the invention contains a novel semiconductor laser photon source. The source is capable of providing substantially higher photon flux than prior art near field sources, potentially facilitating read-out rates in the megahertz range in exemplary near-field data storage and retrieval apparatus. The novel source comprises a non-uniform laser emission face, with the emission face configured such that at least 50% of the total radiation emission is from a small (first) region of the emission face, of width less than .lambda..sub.s /2, where .lambda..sub.s is the emission wavelength of the laser. In an exemplary embodiment, a multilayer coating is provided on the emission face, such that radiation emission from the face is relatively low. A recess is formed in the coating such that substantial radiation emission from the recess occurs. The recess constitutes the first region.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information to/from a recording medium in a scanning probe microscope comprises a circuit to reproduce recording bits formed on the recording medium on the basis of a physical amount such as tunnel current, interatomic force, electrostatic force, or magnetic force which occurs between the probe and the recording medium, a sensor to detect a state such as film thickness or film quality of the recording medium on the basis of the physical amount before the recording bits are reproduced, and a correcting circuit to correct reproducing conditions such as a magnitude of a voltage which is applied between the probe and the medium on the basis of the detected state of the medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a corresponding device for inscribi reading, and erasing information from an information storage layer through use of an electrical field. The information storage layer includes a polarisable polymer film for an active layer. The dipoles are initially oriented in a unipolar manner. Inscription of the information is effected by the application of an opposing electrical field to the active layer. Readout of the different polarisation conditions is effected optically, the phase position of the emitted light of the optical second harmonic being detected by an interferometric process. The information on the storage layer may be deleted by an electrical polarisation process.

Abstract: A recording device, comprising a probe electrode, a recording medium having electric memory effect and a writing voltage applying unit for applying voltage onto the recording medium from the probe electrode, and a reproducing device comprising a probe electrode, a recording medium exhibiting electric memory effect or a recording medium recorded by energy irradiation, a voltage applying unit for applying voltage not exceeding the threshold value voltage giving rise to electric memory effect onto the recording medium from the probe electrode and a reading unit for reading the change in current quantity passing through the recording medium.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing method and apparatus is for carrying out at least one of recording and reproducing information through a probe electrode or through a plurality of probe electrodes on an information recording medium. A probe electrode is disposed on an elastic member. A relative position is so adjusted between the recording medium and the probe electrode that a repulsive force between them is comparative to an elastic force of the elastic member. In case of plural probe electrodes, they are displaced to keep an equal spacing between the recording medium and the respective probe electrodes so that they may have either a zero average or a minimized square sum of displacement. A spacer layer will do for setting a spacing between a probe electrode and the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and method for decoding high density data encoded in a digital recording media as a series of tags comprising an information bit pattern including a tracking bit pattern. To this end, the invention preferably accesses the data by way of an interferometric near field microscope.

Abstract: A probe apparatus includes a probe group supporting member having a substrate on which probes having conductive needles are formed. The main bodies of the probes are constructed from composite beams, e.g. L-shaped beams, formed by joining a plurality of arms, e.g. first and second arms, which extend from the substrate of the probe group supporting member, and which overhang the substrate in a direction parallel to the surface of the substrate. The conductive needles are attached perpendicular to the substrate surface at a selected point on each of the composite beams.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided with a masking layer on a side of a recording layer for receiving a reproducing beam. The masking layer is prepared from that containing photochromic dye molecules having absorption at the wavelength of the reproducing beam and causing a photon mode reaction by absorbing the reproducing beam to be reduced in absorption.

Abstract: Changes-with-time in the voltages of exposed and unexposed portions of a liquid crystal recording layer with respect to a photoconductive layer having a varying dark current value are found by varying an applied voltage, and the applied voltage and the value of a dark current through the photoconductive layer are determined such that when the voltage of the unexposed portion of the liquid crystal recording layer reaches the threshold voltage of the liquid crystal recording layer, the difference in voltage between the exposed and unexposed portions of the liquid crystal recording layer reaches a maximum, so that information is recorded with the photoconductive layer and at the applied voltage, where a potential difference is obtained, which is at least one half of the difference (maximum contrast) in the voltages applied on the liquid crystals at the exposed and unexposed portions of the liquid crystal recording layer.

Abstract: A probe is displaced relative to a recording medium according to a drive voltage. A chip is provided at an end of the probe. The chip serves to form pits and projections on a surface of the recording medium according to a recording voltage (Vp2) and serves to output a current signal responsive to the pits and projections with a reproducing voltage (Vp1) applied. A voltage generator generates the recording voltage and the reproducing voltage based on address and data signals. A sample-hold unit samples at a specified frequency a current signal obtained from a no-recording area of the recording medium by the chip and produces an output voltage signal. A reproducing unit demodulates and reproduces increment and decrement of the current signal obtained from a recording area of the recording medium by the chip. A control unit controls recording and reproduction.

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 probe of torsion lever structure is provided with a flat-plate driving unit formed on a substrate with a gap therebetween, two beams positioned along a straight line parallel to the substrate and rotatably supporting the flat plate-shaped driving unit relative to the substrate, a drive device for driving the flat plate-shaped driving unit, and a tip for information input/output provided at an end of the flat plate-shaped driving unit. The two beams are provided at a position between the end of the flat plate-shaped driving unit and the other end thereof, closer to the other end than the center between the end and the other end of the flat plate-shaped driving unit.

Abstract: An optical disk apparatus includes a recording method in which at least one of the scanning position, the irradiation time, the irradiation start point and the irradiation power of a light beam is arbitrarily changed, and a method and apparatus in which information is represented by a plurality of recording marks without being limited to two kinds of recording and erasion. In order to prevent overlapping recording/erasion, a recording clock generating unit delays a reference clock signal to generate a recording clock signal and a recording control unit transfers user data to an optical head in synchronism with the recording clock signal so that it is recorded on an optical disk. Also, the amount of delay is recorded to enable sure reading or reproduction. At the time of reading, a servo mark detection signal is divided to generate a clock signal having a variable frequency, thereby realizing an optical disk for which high-precision recording/reproduction is possible.

Abstract: A parallel plane holding mechanism is constructed as follows. Beams are provided on the peripheral portion of a flat plate-shaped weight member. A base plate is provided so as to face the weight member. First and second electrodes are provided on both surfaces of the weight member and the base plate to face each other. A voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode so that the distance between the weight member and the base plate is controlled to move the weight member to thereby hold a reference surface of the weight member to be parallel to a predetermined reference surface.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproducing apparatus records and reproduces information with probes. The apparatus includes probes made of an elastic body, a recording medium which oxidizes in portions where an electric current flows in the atmosphere to form recording bits, a device for moving the probes relative to the recording medium, and a device for applying a recording voltage between the probes and the recording medium for forming the recording bits.

Abstract: After a recessed portion 2 is formed in a first substrate made of single crystal silicon by crystal axis anisotropic etching, a peeling layer and a material of a fine tip which may be a noble metal or a noble metal alloy are formed. A second substrate is joined to the fine tip, and peeling is performed on the peeling layer, whereby the fine tip is formed on the second substrate.

Abstract: An information recording/reproduction is performed as follows on a recording medium using a probe. A distance between the probe and a recording layer of the recording medium is controlled, and relative movement of the probe and the medium is effected so that the probe scans a surface of the recording layer. Recording bits corresponding to information is recorded or erased on the recording layer under a predetermined recording/erasing condition. The information is reproduced from the recording bits produced on the recording layer upon detection of a physical quantity such as a tunneling current, an electric field radiation current and the like generated between the probe and the recording layer. A characteristic/state such as an electrical characteristic, a surface state and the like of the recording layer is detected. The recording/erasing condition is corrected on the basis of the detected characteristic/state of the recording layer.

Abstract: A multi-needle recording head has retaining members within an electrode support block, each retaining member serving to retain a recording electrode wire. The retaining members can not only lessen a stress generated by the hardening and contracting of a resin, but also prevent generation of defects such as cracks in the vicinity of recording electrodes on a head surface. Further, such multi-needle recording head is obtained by retaining the recording electrode wires by the retaining members, each retaining member having a pressure sensitive adhesive agent or an adhesive arranged at least on a surface thereof contacting the recording electrode wire, with the recording electrode wires wound around the winding jig before the recording electrode wires are cast into the electrode support block made of the electrically insulating resin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and playing back of a permanent digital information on a recording medium consisting of an insulating and a conductive layers of material, by creating spots of increased conductivity in the insulating layer.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for effecting at least one of the recording and reproduction of information with probes on a recording medium having tracking grooves is disclosed. In the apparatus, a probe head having plural probes is moved relative to the recording medium, a signal based on a physical phenomenon between each probe and the recording medium is detected from each probe, a position signal indicating a position of the tracking groove is extracted from the detected signal, a reference clock signal is generated, and a start timing of reproduction or recording of the information is determined based on the phase relationship between the position signal and the reference clock signal.

Abstract: An encoder includes an electrically conductive reference scale having surface steps formed at predetermined positions; an electrically conductive probe having a tip disposed opposed to the reference scale; wherein the reference scale and the probe are relatively movable in a direction different from the opposing direction of the tip of the probe and the reference scale; a portion for applying an electrical voltage to between the reference scale and the probe; a portion for detecting a change in a tunnel current between the reference scale and the probe, to between which the electric voltage is applied by the voltage applying portion at the time of the relative movement between the scale and the probe, the detecting portion detecting the change in the tunnel current when the probe passes a position opposed to a surface step of the reference scale; and portion for detecting the amount of the relative movement between the scale and probe, on the basis of the detection by the change detecting portion.

Abstract: A recording/reproduction of information is performed on a recording medium using a probe as follows. The relative movement between the probe and the recording medium along a track groove of the medium is performed on the basis of a predetermined drive signal. A voltage is applied to between the probe and the recording medium. A tunnel current flowing through the probe upon application of the voltage is detected so as to detect the track groove. A correction signal for correcting the drive signal is obtained on the basis of fuzzy deduction. The probe and the recording medium are driven relative to each other along the track groove in accordance with a drive signal corrected by the correction signal.

Abstract: There is provided an optical memory medium comprising a flat plate modified on the surface thereof by a photolytic residual group, an optical recording apparatus comprising an optical probe having a microscopic aperture on the leading end thereof, a light source, X-Y-Z position control means, and a controller for controlling the apparatus as whole and an apparatus for reading the optical memory medium comprising the optical memory medium, a friction detecting probe, an X-Y-Z position control means and a controller for controlling the apparatus as a whole.

Abstract: A digital television receiver having an STM memory is provided with a receiving unit to receive a broadcasting signal, a producing circuit to produce an image signal and a voice signal from the received broadcasting signal, a memory which is used to record the image signal and the voice signal and has a plurality of probe electrodes and a recording medium arranged so as to face the probe electrodes, a display for converting the image signal outputted from the memory into the video image, and a speaker for converting the voice signal outputted from the memory into the voice sound. The memory further has a voltage applying circuit for applying a voltage to the portion between each probe electrode and the recording medium. The image signal and the voice signal are digital signals.

Abstract: A cantilever probe comprising a cantilever displacement element containing a piezoelectric material provided between driving electrodes for causing displacement of the piezoelectric material, a probe for information input and output provided on the free end of the element, a drawing electrode for the probe and, a non-electroconductive thin film provided on at least a portion of an end of the element.

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: A gimbal flexure and electrical interconnect assembly for attachment to a disk drive suspension assembly. The gimbal flexure and electrical interconnect acts both as an interconnect system for relaying electrical signals and as a gimbal flexure. It comprises a self-supporting set of generally parallel traces--electrically insulated linear substrate-free conductors constructed of a single layer spring material. The set of traces includes a load beam portion extending over and matching the surface topology of at least a section of the first surface of a load beam, and a gimbal portion located at a distal end of the set of traces shaped as a gimbal flexure means. The invention describes specific embodiments, including head harnesses, suspension assemblies, and head suspension assemblies, as well as manufacturing methods.

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: 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 method and apparatus is provided for reducing relaxation noise in a conducting medium. The device is fabricated by affixing two magnets at like, repelling poles; wrapping said magnets with a coil of wire in an orientation orthogonal to the interface between the joined magnets and the like poles of the magnets to form a magnetic unit; connecting said coil to a motor means, an electrical power supply means and a switch means; attaching a spindle to said motor means. The spindle receives said conducting medium. The apparatus can be in a housing. The conducting medium is placed on said spindle. By activating the device, a modulated magnetic electromagnetic field is created simultaneous to the spinning of the conducting medium. The information recording medium rotates through the modulated electromagnetic field, thereby reducing the relaxation noise.

Abstract: There is disclosed an information recording/reproducing apparatus utilizing a probe electrode and a recording medium, based on the principle of scanning tunnel microscope. When a track groove on the recording medium is detected, the distance control between the probe electrode and the recording medium is suspended. Consequently, the tip of the probe electrode does not enter the track groove, and is prevented from collision with the recording medium. The scanning speed of the probe electrode can, therefore, be increased without the danger of such collision.

Abstract: In an optical information recording and/or reproducing apparatus, information is recorded by applying a beam of light to an optical recording medium and/or the recorded information is reproduced by receiving the reflected light of a beam of light applied to the optical recording medium by a photosensor divided into a plurality of sections. The apparatus has a subtractor for subtracting a plurality of signals from the photosensor divided into a plurality of sections, dividing means for dividing a part of a photocurrent from the photosensor into a predetermined frequency component and a predetermined high frequency component, amplifying means for amplifying the signal of the low frequency component and the signal of the high frequency component produced by the dividing means, an adder for adding the both signals amplified by the amplifying means, and a divider for dividing a subtraction signal obtained by the subtractor by an addition signal obtained by the adder to thereby normalize a servo signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus, in which a reference electrostatic capacity is formed by a wide pattern (23) radially formed over a plurality of recording tracks (22) and a calculation is performed by utilizing this reference electrostatic capacity so as to eliminate the fluctuation of stray capacitance in each of the electrodes (63a) and (63b) of a recording and reproducing head. Thus, the change of stray capacitance occuring due to the drift of temperature, the vibration of interconnection or the like can be eliminated.

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: 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: 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 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: This invention relates to an optical recording method and apparatus, in which the intensity of a laser beam to be radiated onto an optical recording medium is raised from an intensity P.sub.pre for maintaining a pre-heat state in which the temperature of the medium surface becomes a predetermined temperature, to P.sub.W1 higher than P.sub.pre, the intensity is reduced to an intensity P.sub.LT lower than P.sub.W1 after P.sub.W1 is maintained for a time T.sub.W1, and thereafter, the laser beam is intensity-modulated between P.sub.LT and an intensity P.sub.W2 higher than P.sub.LT so as to form a mark on the optical recording medium. When at least one of P.sub.W2, P.sub.LT, and a time T.sub.W2 for maintaining P.sub.W2 is controlled, the medium temperature, after an elapse of T.sub.W1, at the peak temperature position or the spot center position of the laser beam radiated onto the medium surface is equal to the medium temperature after an elapse of T.sub.W2.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus which records and reproduces information by rotating a cylindrical recording medium on the basis of the principles of a scanning type tunnel microscope, the speed of the probe relative to that of the recording medium becomes fixed, and resonance and a decrease in an S/N ratio of reproduced signals during high-speed scanning can be prevented. Thus, information processing at a large capacity and high-speed response with a high degree of accuracy is made possible. An information processing system that records and reproduces information on the basis of the principles of a scanning type tunneling or an atomic force microscope employs a ferroelectric layer in the recording medium to simplify and improve reproduction. The recording medium may include a rotating cylindrical medium wherein the speed of the probe is fixed relative to that of the cylindrical medium to prevent resonance and to decrease the signal-to-noise ratio of reproduced signals during high speed scanning.