Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode master for ferroelectric recording that records information on a ferroelectric recording medium in which the direction of polarization of a ferroelectric material has been unified in one direction by applying a voltage thereto, based on the direction of polarization of the ferroelectric material by applying voltage pulses to the ferroelectric recording medium, the electrode master including: an electroconductive base material; a plurality of electrode convexes provided on a surface of the electroconductive base material so as to correspond to information to be recorded on the ferroelectric recording medium; and an electrode terminal conducted to each of the electrode convexes and provided on the electroconductive base material.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a slider having an air bearing surface, a first waveguide for directing electromagnetic radiation to a focal point adjacent to the air bearing surface, a storage medium position adjacent to the air bearing surface, a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation reflected from the storage medium, and a structure positioned adjacent to the focal point for collecting the reflected electromagnetic radiation and for transmitted the reflected electromagnetic radiation toward the detector.

Abstract: The recording device comprises a network of micro-points (6), with tips of nanometer scale, fixed to the same substrate (7). Said network of micro-points cooperates with a deformable memory support (1), which absorbs the range of differing heights of the micro-points (6) on bringing the network into contact with the memory support, before thermal, electrical, and/or mechanical recording of data. The memory support (1) comprises a stack with at least one deformable memory layer, arranged on a substrate (4). The deformable memory layer may be embodied by the stacking of a memory layer (2) and a flexible layer (3), the latter being arranged on the substrate (4). The memory layer (2) can be covered by a layer (5) interfacing with the micro-points (6). The pressure of a micro-point (6) on the memory support (1) induces a progressive deformation of the stack up to the flexible layer (3).

Abstract: A magnetic data storage system having a scanning tip array based system and a shape memory thin film-based data storage medium. Prior to storing data, the medium is in its non-ferromagnetic austenitic phase. Indentation stress locally induces martensitic transformation of the medium, which in turn generates a locally ferromagnetized surface. By measuring the magnetic force interaction between the tip and the medium surface, inscribed magnetic information can be read. The shape memory thin film enables the stress-induced local magnetic transition to provide a fast data storage system with high data storage density.

Abstract: An information storage device using magnetic domain wall motion and a method of operating the same are provided. The information storage device includes a magnetic track having a plurality of magnetic domains and magnetic domain walls arranged alternately. A current supply unit is configured to apply current to the magnetic track, and a plurality of reading/writing units are arranged on the magnetic track. The information storage device further includes a plurality of storage units. Each of the plurality of storage units is connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of reading/writing units for storing data temporarily.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-volatile memory bitcell includes a program electrode, an erase electrode, a cantilever electrode connected to a bi-stable cantilever positioned between the program electrode and the erase electrode, and switching means connected to the program electrode arranged to apply a voltage potential onto the program electrode, or to detect or to prevent the flow of current from the cantilever to the program electrode. The switching means may comprise a switch having a first node, a second node, and a control node, wherein voltage is applied to the control node to activate the switch to provide a connection between the first node and the second node. The switching means may comprise a pass-gate. The switching means may comprise an NMOS transistor. The switching means may comprise a PMOS transistor. The switching means may comprise a MEMS switch.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium and an apparatus and a method for reading data using spin-dependent scattering of electrons are provided. The apparatus includes a probe, a magnetic recording medium, a control unit, and a measurement unit. The probe emits hot electrons through a Schottky junction or tunnel barrier. The magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a first magnetic layer placed over the substrate, a non-magnetic layer placed over the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer placed over the non-magnetic layer and having a magnetization direction parallel or anti-parallel with a magnetization direction of the first magnetic layer. The control unit applies voltage to the probe so that the probe can emit hot electrons. The measurement unit reads data recorded on the magnetic recording medium by detecting output current at the substrate that varies according to the parallel or anti-parallel alignment of magnetizations of the first and second magnetic layers.

Abstract: The recording system consists of a recording medium (1) comprising a storage layer (2) which can store information. A data read and/or write device (4) comprises an array of microtips (5) disposed in a common plane facing the storage layer (2). The recording medium (1) comprises at least one first electrode (6). The read and/or write device (4) comprises at least one second electrode (7). The first electrode (6) is disposed facing the second electrode (7). The system comprises means (C) for controlling the distance (d) separating the recording medium (1) from the read and/or write device (4) by applying a potential difference (Vd) between the first (6) and second (7) electrodes. The read and/or write device (4) comprises contact elements (11) which are disposed between the read and/or write device (4) and the recording medium (1) and which co-operate with the storage layer (2) so as to cushion the contact between the microtips (5) and the storage layer (2).

Abstract: A method of storing data using data storage system having a positioning system for a micro-electromechanical system (“MEMS”) based data storage is provided. The method includes a moving MEMS-based scanner that interacts with a polymer medium to read, write and erase data. A first positioning system is coupled to the MEMS scanner to allow the storage of data over a defined area. A second positioning system is coupled to the first positioning system and the MEMS scanner to allow the use of a larger polymer medium. A plurality of storage modules is also provided to allow scalability of data storage.

Abstract: The invention is a recording and reproducing apparatus for recording data on a recording medium having a holographic recording area and a buffer recording area. The recording and reproducing apparatus has a holographic recording controller which multiplexedly records user data as page data in a holographic form on the holographic recording area, a buffer recording controller which records user data on the buffer recording area, and a recording controller, upon receiving a user data write request, which controls recording of user data in the write request on which one of the holographic recording area and the buffer recording area.

Abstract: An electrical-effect data recording medium is preferably formed by a successive stacking of a protective layer, a localized electrical conduction layer, a recording layer, a thin layer forming an electrode and a substrate. The localized electrical conduction layer is formed by a low electrical conductivity material, in which inclusions having a higher electrical conductivity than that of the material are dispersed. The inclusions can be oblong or spherical in shape and the material presents a non-linear electrical conduction.

Abstract: A storage device according to the invention has flexible architecture and free scalability. It includes an address input and a data input. It also includes an address and data evaluation unit, which is formed in such a way that it controls a controllable switching means, wherein in operation the address and data evaluation unit depends on the signals of said address and data inputs. Finally, a read/write line for a read/write signal is provided, which can be applied to a local probe data storage unit via the controllable switching means.

Abstract: A memory media and a method to provide same. The memory media includes: a media layer comprising a ferroelectric layer having a bottom surface and a top surface; a plurality of adjacent charge domains defined in the ferroelectric layer, the domains including alternating up domains and down domains each extending between the bottom surface and the top surface; and a trapped charge region adjacent a top surface of the media layer, the trapped charge region including charges in addition to the charges present in the charge domains at regions thereof other than regions adjacent the top surface of the media layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having a cantilever structure to move in a vertical direction, including a grounded cantilever body and a conductive tip, a vertical actuation electrode to actuate the cantilever to cause the conductive tip to contact a ferroelectric media surface, an AC electrostatic drive electrode to produce electrostatic forces to cause the cantilever structure to vibrate, and a sensing trace coupled with the conductive tip to sense charge generated by the ferroelectric media surface in response to a force applied by the conductive tip. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Using controlled bias voltage for data retention enhancement in a ferroelectric media is generally described. In one example, an apparatus includes a ferroelectric film including one or more domains, the ferroelectric film having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being opposite the second surface, an electrode coupled with the first surface, and an electrically conductive thin film coupled with the second surface wherein the electrically conductive thin film is sufficiently conductive that a controlled bias field applied between the electrically conductive thin film and the electrode is sufficient to grow, shrink, or actively maintain the size of the one or more domains disposed between the electrically conductive thin film and the electrode.

Abstract: A data reading/writing head reading/writing data from/to a ferroelectric recording medium by using an electric field effect, includes a semiconductor body having a first plane on which an air bearing pattern is formed and a second plane crossing the first plane. A sensing unit is located on the second plane and reads data written to the ferroelectric recording medium, wherein the second plane is separated from the first plane, and a floating gate is disposed on the sensing unit, wherein an end of the floating gate extends to the first plane to guide an electric field from the ferroelectric recording medium to the sensing unit.

Abstract: A probe storage device includes a scanner chip having at least a suspension layer and a table layer an array chip, and at least one coil mounted to the scanner chip. The probe storage device further includes a top plate mounted proximate to the table layer. The top plate includes at least one magnet positioned adjacent the at least one coil. A base plate is mounted proximate to the suspension layer and includes at least one magnet positioned adjacent to the at least one coil. An electronic component mounting cavity is formed in one of the table layer, suspension layer, at least one top plate and base plate. An electronic component is mounted within the electronic component mounting cavity. The electronic component is wired directly to the scanner chip to provide a direct wired connection to that eliminates the need for a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An optical data storage system includes a light emitting and receiving device (30), a light transmission device (31) having an input port (32) and an output port (33). The input port is disposed adjacent to the light emitting and receiving device. Furthermore, a micro window is provided at the output port, and a diameter of the micro window is in a range of 5 to 70 nanometers. Therefore, in the optical data storage system, the spot size of the light beams is close to the diameter of the micro window. Accordingly, the size of the beam spot is small enough to write information at a higher density with respect to an optical storage medium.

Abstract: A read/write arrangement for a contact probe storage arrangement or the like, has a cantilever disposed with a medium which is movable relative to the cantilever. A device which is associated with one of the cantilever and the medium is configured to be responsive to changes in electrical field between the medium and the cantilever caused by a change in distance between the medium and the cantilever. A heater is disposed on the cantilever for heating the medium and for inducing localized topographical changes which represent bits of data. A circuit electrically interconnects both of the device and the heater.

Abstract: Provided is a data storage apparatus using current switching in a metal oxide layer. The data storage apparatus includes a substrate; a lower electrode layer disposed on the substrate; a metal oxide layer disposed on the lower electrode layer; a probe tip disposed on the metal oxide layer opposite the lower electrode layer and for scanning a local region of the metal oxide layer in units of nanometer, wherein the probe tip applies a write voltage to the local region of the metal oxide layer so that the resistance of the local region is sharply changed until a resistive state of the local region is switched from a first state to a second state or measures current flowing through the local region according to the resistive state and reads data stored in the local region; a driver for transferring the position of the probe tip to the local region of the metal oxide layer; and a controller for controlling the probe tip and the driver.

Abstract: A system for storing information comprises a package including a lid, a bowl mateable with the lid, and leads extending from an interior of the package to an exterior of the package. A magnet structure includes a first flux plate and a magnet and is fixedly connected with the lid by way of the first flux plate. A media stack includes a cap including cut-outs for receiving at least a portion of the magnet structure, a media frame connected to the cap, a tip die connected to the media frame, and a second flux plate connected with the tip die. A movable media platform is movably connected with the frame and arranged between the cap and the tip die. An electric trace is formed on the media platform so that the electric trace is arranged between the media platform and the cap. A media is fixedly associated with the movable media platform and accessible to the tip die. The media stack is seated within the bowl and wire-bonded to the leads.

Abstract: An information storage device comprises a ferroelectric media, write circuitry to provide a first signal and a second signal to the ferroelectric media, a tip platform and a cantilever operably associated with the tip platform. A tip extends from the cantilever toward the ferroelectric media and includes a first conductive material communicating the first signal from the write circuitry to the ferroelectric media and a second conductive material communicating the second signal from the write circuitry to the ferroelectric media. A insulating material arranged between the first conductive material and the second conductive material to electrically isolate the first conductive material from the second conductive material.

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: The present invention relates to a data record carrier of the type with ferroelectric memory layer, its method of manufacture and a micro-tip recording system incorporating same. The invention applies in particular to computer-based or multimedia applications requiring high memory capacities. A record carrier according to the invention comprises a substrate, a counter-electrode deposited on the substrate and intended to cooperate with an electrode of a data reading and/or writing device, and at least one ferroelectric memory layer which is able to store these data and which exhibits a first face in close contact with said counter-electrode. According to the invention, the counter-electrode is made of a substance comprising a carbonaceous material chosen from the group consisting of carbon in the form of graphite or amorphous diamond, the carbides of a metallic or non-metallic element with the exclusion of ionic carbides, and their mixtures.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a data storage media and a plurality of heads, the data storage media and heads being structured and arranged for relative movement between the heads and storage media causing the heads to move along a scan path, and an actuator for changing a magnitude of head to media force as the heads move along the scan path. A method for reducing head motion hysteresis is also provided.

Abstract: An electron beam recorder includes an electron optical system for irradiating an electron beam on a master of an information recording medium and an electron beam irradiation position detecting unit for detecting an irradiation position of the electron beam in the electron optical system while the electron beam is being irradiated on the master by the electron optical system.

Abstract: The present invention provides data storage devices, systems and methods. An example device includes: a storage medium for storing data in the form of marks; and at least one probe. The probe(s) and storage medium are operable to move relative to each other, with each probe comprising a tip facing the storage medium and having a force creating unit associated thereto. The force creating units are operable to create a force acting between the tip and said storage medium. The data storage device is operable to erase an indentation mark in the storage medium by way of controlling the force creating unit for creating at least one erase force pulse with a force rise time being less than or equal to the order of 1 microsecond.

Abstract: Storing data by forming permanent indents in a preceramic polymer, on a substrate, via a chemical reaction transforming the polymer through permanent phase change into hardened, ceramic material, where the chemical reaction activation energy is supplied by heat and pressure applied by a nanoscale probe tip; reading data with the tip by obtaining a topographical signal during readout of the bits; reading data with the tip, where the substrate and ceramic material are conducting, while recording varying electrical resistance measured through the tip-sample contact as the tip slides along the surface; where a separate surface layer formed over the ceramic material including a polymeric thin film with cross-linking protects the tip during writing and readout; and where the substrate is a rigid wall material that can aid indentation by preventing the precursor polymer from accommodating stress applied by the tip with plastic deformation.

Abstract: A probe group is composed of, for instance, four probes adjacently arranged, and one modulation circuit is arranged for each probe group. At the time of recoding information, a changeover switch connects one of the four probes with the modulation circuit, and subsequently changes the probes to be connected with the modulation circuit while reciprocal movement of a recording medium is being controlled.

Abstract: Provided is an electric field head including a resistance sensor to read information recorded on a recording medium. The resistance sensor includes a first semiconductor layer including a source and a drain, and a second semiconductor layer that is heterogeneously combined with the first semiconductor layer. Also, the electric field head further includes a channel between the source and the drain, in a junction region of the first and second semiconductor layers.

Abstract: An electric field sensor includes a substrate having a low resistive semiconductor layer doped with a high-density dopant as the top layer of the substrate, a high resistive semiconductor layer doped with a low-density dopant, the high resistive semiconductor layer located at a partial area on the low resistive semiconductor layer, and a conductive layer located on the high resistive semiconductor layer, wherein a change of an electric field is detected by a change of a current flowing through the low resistive semiconductor layer, the high resistive semiconductor layer, and the conductive layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first ferroelectric storage layer and a second ferroelectric storage layer adjacent the first ferroelectric storage layer. A coupling layer may be between the first ferroelectric storage layer and the second ferroelectric storage layer. The ferroelectric storage layers may be configured as a data storage medium for use in a data storage system. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Patterning of microelectronic and micromechanical devices is described using probes. In one example, a plurality of probe tips are driven into a processing layer of a substrate. The probe tips are carried by movable sleds. The sleds are moved to write patterns into the processing layer using the probes, and the processing layer is processed to form features on the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides for non-destructive readback of a ferroelectric material. The apparatus can include a ferroelectric layer with a scannable surface wherein the ferroelectric layer has a compensation charge adjacent the scannable surface. The apparatus also can include an electrode adjacent the scannable surface to sense the compensation charge. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for detecting the presence of data in a recording media in a plurality of data locations. A mechanical detector is used to sense a data location and generate an initial signal. A differentiator is provided to differentiate the initial signal to generate a derivative signal. A comparator is used for comparing the derivative signal to a first reference signal to determine a zero crossing point representative of a change in direction of the detection device. At least one qualified signal is generated from the derivative signal. Timing circuitry is provided for comparing the zero crossing signal to the at least one qualified signal to determine the presence of data at a data location.

Abstract: The flexible membrane comprises at least one thin layer with a plurality of indentations formed therein, wherein bearing points for actuating elements are disposed between said indentations in order to locally deform the membrane. The thus open-worked membrane is more flexible in a cross direction. The open-worked membrane can act as a support for the recording data, cooperating with a micro-point bi-dimensional network.

Abstract: A position control area (76A) is partly formed in the recording area (75) of a recording medium (70) and position information is recorded only in the position control area (76A). To record data in the recording medium (70) by a head (60) having a plurality of cantilevers (62A), (62B), . . . , the position information is read by the cantilever (62E) corresponding to the position control area (76A) and, based on the position information, the positioning control or moving control of all the other cantilevers is performed.

Abstract: Provided are a data storage device and a method of tracking data stored in the data storage device. The device includes a data storage medium on which data can be recorded and erased, a plurality of probes for scanning the data storage medium to detect data, a scanner for driving the data storage medium or the probes, and a controller for applying a control signal to the scanner. The method includes (a) oscillating the probe or the data storage medium; (b) detecting an off-track error of the probe on the data storage medium by the oscillation; and (c) adjusting a scanning position of the probe on the data storage medium to compensate for the off-track error.

Abstract: An electron beam recording apparatus is disclosed that records information onto the surface of a sample by using an electron beam. The electron beam recording apparatus includes an electron source that irradiates the electron beam, a magnetic detector that is configured to move onto and out of an irradiation axis and acquires magnetic information on the irradiation axis, a convergence position control part that calculates a convergence position correction amount for correcting a convergence position of the electron beam with respect to the surface of the sample based on the magnetic information, and a convergence position adjusting part that adjusts the convergence position of the electron beam with respect to the surface of the sample. The convergence position control part causes the convergence position adjusting part to adjust the convergence position of the electron beam with respect to the surface of the sample based on the convergence position correction amount.

Abstract: Alloy memory structures and methods are disclosed wherein a layer or volume of alloy material changes conductivity subsequent to introduction of a electron beam current-induced change in phase of the alloy, the conductivity change being detected using current detection means such as photon-emitting P-N junctions, and being associated with a change in data bit memory state.

Abstract: A metal sulfide based non-volatile memory device is provided herein. The device is comprised of a substrate, a backplane, a planar memory media including a dense array of metal sulfide based memory cells, and a MEMS probe based actuator. The cells of the memory device are operative to be of two or more states corresponding to various levels of impedance. The MEMS actuator is operable to position micro/nano probes over the appropriate cells to enable reading, writing, and erasing the memory cells by applying a bias voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus having a first cantilever structure to move in a vertical direction, including a first plate formed of a conductive material, an insulation beam adapted on a portion of the first plate, and a second cantilever structure adapted on the insulation beam and including a second plate formed of a conductive material, where an air gap is present between the first and second plates. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A probe position error detecting method and apparatus in a probe-based data storage system are provided. The method includes preparing servo codes, which are Gray codes. The Gray codes have a Hamming distance of 1 and satisfy alternate conditions for Q (a natural number) and Q+1, the conditions being based on the numbers of “1” bits of codewords of the Gray codes. The method further includes detecting a probe position error from a signal read by a servo probe when the servo probe consecutively scans “1” bits of codewords of the servo codes when tracking. The apparatus includes: a plurality of servo probes; a tracking condition checker; a plurality of position error detectors that correspond to the plurality of servo probes, respectively; and an average position error calculator. Probe position errors are be detected with a stable noise characteristic using fewer probes.

Abstract: A position detection system of a data storage apparatus and a position detection method. The position detection system includes a recording medium including a plurality of servo fields and data fields, in a case where n×m data bits are formed on each of the data fields, and a probe array including H servo probes that scan the servo fields. An absolute position of a data bit can be detected by one-to-one correspondence. In addition, the servo regions can be disposed among the data regions, and the data probes can be used as the servo probes.

Abstract: A storage apparatus includes a ferroelectric recording medium, an electric field sensor including a source region, a drain region and a resistance region electrically connecting the source region to the drain region and having a resistance, which varies according to an intensity of an electric field due to a polarization voltage of an electric domain of the recording medium, a voltage applying unit applying a drain voltage between the source region and the drain region, and a reproducing signal detection unit including at least one negative resistor installed in an electric circuit connecting the drain region to the voltage applying unit, and detecting a change in a voltage between the drain region and the at least one negative resistor.

Abstract: In a recording/reproducing apparatus having a large number of probes, being still usable continuously when several pieces of the probes are in trouble, wherein a plural number of probes are so disposed that they can make recording and/or reproducing onto the same recording area, which is in charge of the probes, respectively, and when defect, such as, a trouble is generated within a first probe, that defect is detected, automatically, so as to exchanged into a spare probe built within the frame, thereby compensating the defect.

Abstract: A data storage device comprising a storage medium for storing data in the form of marks. An array of probes is mounted on a common frame. The common frame and the storage medium are designed for moving relative to each other for creating or detecting marks. Each probe is assigned a given field within the storage medium for creating or detecting marks in various tracks. A track density is representative of the distance between consecutive tracks. A linear density is representative of a minimum distance between consecutive marks within one track. The data storage device is designed for grouping the probes into various probe classes, each probe class being characterized in that all its assigned probes are controlled with a common track density and in that all its assigned probes are operated in respect of track movement simultaneously. Each probe class is controlled with a different combination of track density and linear density.

Abstract: An integrated electromechanical disc drive system for creating nanoscale patterns comprises a spinning disc coated with a liquid or solid film and at least one flying integrated write head, said write head being attached to a pivoted swing arm and comprising a heating tip locally exerting heat when a current is driven through it; and at least one electrically conductive electrode tip which functions as an electrostatic atomic force tip capable of exerting an electric field between the tip and the disc.

Abstract: A photoelectric transducer comprises a board, which carries at least an optical sensor on one face, and a spacer defining a recess that houses the optical sensor. The recess is at least partly filled with an optical glue. To mount the transducer in an optical pick up for an optical disk, the spacer is fastened to an optical body of the pick up.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a storage medium, a transducer including an electrode positioned along an axis and having a curved end positioned adjacent to the storage medium, a wear-resistant coating surrounding the electrode, and an actuator for providing relative movement between the storage medium and the transducer.