Abstract: Described is a method for erasing data recorded in a data storage device in which a data bit is written onto a surface by applying a first combination of energy and force to the surface via a tip to form a pit in the surface representative of the data bit by local deformation of the surface. The method comprises applying a second combination of energy and force via the tip to prerecorded deformations of the surface to be erased to substantially level the surface.

Abstract: A dielectric recording/reproducing apparatus is provided with: a probe for applying an electric field to a dielectric material; a return electrode for returning the high frequency electric field for data reproduction; an inductor placed between the probe and the return electrode; an oscillator which oscillates at a resonance frequency determined according to the inductor and a capacitance formed in the dielectric material just under the probe; a switch for switching circuit connections depending on whether data recording is performed and data reproducing is performed; a recording signal input device for converting data to be recorded to generate a recording signal; a direct current voltage generation device for generating a direct current bias voltage to be applied to the dielectric material; a frequency-amplitude demodulator for demodulating an oscillation signal of the oscillator having the frequency that is changed depending on the capacitance owned by the dielectric material just under the probe; and a si

Abstract: An example pickup device is provided with: an arm; a gimbal holding device disposed on one end portion of the arm; a gimbal held by the gimbal holding device with a probe set in its center portion; and a motor of rotational type for rotating the arm around a rotating shaft. The probe, which is disposed on one end of the arm, is rotated in the radial direction of a dielectric recording medium by the rotation of the motor, causing accurate and quick tracking control and track access control.

Abstract: A dielectric constant measuring apparatus for measuring a dielectric constant of a dielectric substance is provided with: a cantilever having a small projection on a tip side of a cantilevered electric conductor; an electrode which is placed around the cantilever and is earthed; an inductor (L) placed so as to constitute a resonance circuit together with a capacitance (Cs) in a small area of the dielectric substance that the cantilever contacts; an oscillating device connected to the resonance circuit; a demodulating device for demodulating an oscillation frequency of the oscillating device; and a dielectric constant detecting device for detecting a dielectric constant information from a demodulation signal of the demodulating. The dielectric constant measuring apparatus can be applied to an information recording/reproducing apparatus using a dielectric record medium.

Abstract: In a beam lithography operation the relative motion between a work piece and the exposure beam produces variations in linear speed at different regions of the work piece surface. For example, if a disk work piece rotates with a constant angular velocity (CAV) relative to the beam, the linear surface speed relative to the beam impact point increases in proportion to increasing radial distance of that point from the center of the disk. To provide uniform exposure dose, the duty cycle of pulses of the exposure beam are varied in accord with radial distance.

Abstract: A storage device comprises a probe having a tip. The storage device also comprises a storage medium, with the tip of the probe to form the groove in the storage medium. The probe tip interacts with a surface of the groove to store and read data.

Abstract: A readout arrangement has a base which has a flexible member supporting a probe on a free end thereof so that the probe is movable with respect to the base; a medium in which a superficial data indicative topographical feature can be formed, the superficial data indicative topographical feature being configured to be contacted by the probe, the medium and the base being arranged to be movable relative to one another; and a semiconductor element disposed with one of the base and medium, the semiconductor element being configured to be responsive to an electric field generated in response to interaction between the probe and the superficial data indicative topographical feature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading data bits stored on a storage medium is provided. The apparatus comprises a data probe structure including a data probe and at least one switch attached to the data probe, a controllable voltage source configured to supply voltage to the data probe structure, and a charge amplification structure configured to receive charge from the data probe structure. The controllable voltage source applies a first voltage to the data probe structure and subsequently applies a second voltage to the data probe structure, thereby causing a sense capacitance to charge and then discharge into the charge amplification structure. Certain embodiments of the design may employ dummy cells, diodes in place of switches, and may use a single line to control voltage switching. A lock-in amplifier approach is also presented.

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: The invention relates to a data recording device comprising microtips and a recording medium. The recording medium comprises a substrate with a preferably-carbon resistive layer disposed thereon, said resistive layer being covered with an active layer. According to the invention, the aforementioned active layer can pass from a first electrical resistivity value to a second electrical resistivity value when a voltage is applied between the microtips and a counter electrode. The inventive data recording device also comprises at least one carbon resistive element which is disposed between the active layer and the microtips.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a data storage device. The data storage device comprises a closed interior space containing a noble gas, a plurality of electron emitters having emission surfaces exposed within the interior space, the electron emitters adapted to emit electron beams, and a storage medium contained within the interior space in proximity to the electron emitters, 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 invention relates to an information carrier for scanning information by means of an optical beam having a wave-length. The information carrier comprises a central hole (11) and at least two information stacks (13, 14) rolled up around said hole. Each information stack comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and a material whose optical properties at the wavelength of the optical beam depend on a potential difference applied between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for discriminating the type of an optical recording medium and the number of recording layers in the medium. The apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode placed in the vicinity of a light transmission layer of the recording medium, an alternating current signal generation circuit for applying an alternating current A to the first electrode, a detection circuit for detecting the level of an alternating current B appearing at the second electrode, and a control circuit for controlling the operations of the alternating current signal generation circuit and the detection circuit, and a table provided in the control circuit.

Abstract: A storage device includes a probe, and a substrate comprising a storage medium and heating elements. The heating elements area adapted to heat respective regions of the storage medium to form perturbations in the respective regions of the storage medium, and the probe is adapted to detect the perturbations.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a tape having an information layer on which information is storable in the form of perturbations, an array of probes that in function faces the tape such that the probes scan the surface of the tape, means for selectively forming the perturbations via the probes, means for detecting the presence of the perturbations via the probes, and drive means for moving the tape relative to the array of probes. The apparatus allows to store high data capacities at a small form factor.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed at data storage devices capable of storing, reading and writing data to storage areas of nanometer dimensions. Certain embodiments are directed at devices wherein a fluid medium and particles are provided between a storage medium and an energy-emitting tip to channel energy from the tip to the storage medium. Certain embodiments are directed at devices wherein conductor molecules are attached to the surface of the storage medium and channel energy to the storage medium from an energy-emitting tip. Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed at methods of reading and writing to a storage medium by making use of intermediate particles and/or molecules to channel beams from a tip to a storage medium where data is stored.

Abstract: A high-density data storage medium, a method of manufacturing the data storage medium, a high-density data storage apparatus, and methods of writing data on, and reading and erasing data from the data storage medium by using the data storage apparatus are provided. The data storage medium includes a lower electrode, an insulation layer deposited on the lower electrode, a photoelectron emission layer deposited on the insulation layer and having a plurality of protrusions from which photoelectrons are emitted due to collisions between the protrusions and photons, and a dielectric layer deposited on the photoelectron emission layer and storing the photoelectrons emitted from the photoelectron emission layer.

Abstract: A storage device includes a probe having plural tips, and a storage medium having a surface. At least a first one of the tips is adapted to form a dent in the storage medium, and at least a second one of the tips is adapted to be electrically contact the surface of the storage medium in response to the first tip being engaged in the dent. The second tip is electrically isolated from the storage medium in response to the first tip being engaged on the surface of the storage medium and not being engaged in the dent.

Abstract: A storage device includes a storage medium and a probe having a tip and a first plate. The tip of the probe is adapted to form a dent in the storage medium to represent a state of a data bit. The storage device also includes a second plate, where the first plate and second plate cooperate to form a variable capacitance that varies between different capacitance values depending on whether the tip of the probe is engaged in the dent.

Abstract: An optical system has an expander lens and an objective lens. The following formula is satisfied: W1CM>W2CM, where W1CM is a coma aberration (?rms) of a converged light spot when an off-axial light flux of a wavelength ? (nm) emitted so as to converge at a distance position from the optical axis comes into the objective lens, and W2CM is a coma aberration (?rms) of a converged spot when an off-axial light flux of the wavelength ? (nm) emitted so as to converge at the distant position distant comes through the expander lens into the objective lens on a condition that the optical axis of the expander lens is arranged so as to conform with the optical axis of the objective lens.

Abstract: A storage device includes a storage medium having plural storage cells, and a probe to scan across a surface of the storage medium to program the storage cells. The probe is adapted to selectively program each storage cell to one of more than two storage states.

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: A re-recordable data storage medium is disclosed. One embodiment of the medium includes a dielectric material and a filler material. The dielectric material is organized in columnar channels over which memory cells are logically distributed. The filler material is within the columnar channels to realize the memory cells. The filler material of each memory cell has at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration corresponds to a first storable logical value, and the second configuration corresponds to a second storable logical value.

Abstract: A dielectric recording medium in a disc form is provided with: a center hole; an inner area; a recording area; and an outer area, arranged concentrically from the inside in this order. The inner area, the recording area, and the outer area contain a uniform and flat dielectric material and are polarized with the polarization direction of the recording area opposite to that of the inner area and the outer area in their initial condition. The recording area in which data is recorded has tracks and spaces, each of which is between two of the tracks, and is provided with areas in which control information about the recording/reproducing is recorded, in the track and the space.

Abstract: A position sensor for use in connection with a movable system having a pair of objects that are configured to move relative to one another along an axis through an operative range of motion. The position sensor includes a first plate secured to one of the objects and a pair of second plates secured to the other of the objects. The second plates are adjacent each other and coplanar. The first plate and second plates are configured so that the second plates are spaced from and parallel to the first plate as the objects move relative to one another along the axis. The first plate and second plates are configured so that they form two variable, spaced-plate capacitors having capacitances that vary as the objects move relative to one another within the operative range along the axis. The position sensor is configured to use the capacitances to generate output usable to determine relative position of the objects along the axis.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for storing data. Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is a data storage device. The data storage device includes a conduction barrier, a probe tip mounted on a suspension mechanism, a voltage source coupled to the suspension mechanism for emitting a current of electrons through the conduction barrier, a sensing mechanism for sensing a magnitude of the emitted current wherein the magnitude of the current of electrons emitted through the conduction barrier is based on a distance between the probe tip and the sensing mechanism.

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: Device for writing and reading a data including a floated cantilever part connected to a support, a resistively heated tip at an end of the cantilever part, and a piezoelectric sensor formed on the cantilever part, thereby preventing an occurrence of a sensing error by reading a data and reducing power consumption by using a piezoelectric sensor, and tip wear by making heights of the cantilever array uniform by using piezoelectric actuators.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the voltage on a lens of an electron emitting device are provided. A representative method includes: supplying an emitter voltage to an electron emitter in the electron emitting device, wherein a current amplitude is established; sensing the emitter voltage on the electron emitter; supplying a non-inverted input voltage to an amplifier that follows the emitter voltage; and providing an amplifier output voltage from the amplifier to the lens, wherein the amplifier output voltage corresponds to the emitter voltage at the electron emitter. Systems, devices and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: A data storage medium that includes several stacked layers. The stacked layers can be conducting, insulating, resistive, or capable of changing between two or more states or phases. Also, a data storage device that includes the data storage medium and an energy source that can form nanometer-scaled data bits in regions of the data storage medium. The data bits can include holes through some of the stacked layers or phase-changes in portions of the layers capable of changing between two or more states. Further, a method of using such a storage medium to store nanometer-scaled data bits.

Abstract: A probe-based storage device comprises a storage surface for storing data represented by deformations in the surface. A probe faces the surface and includes a resonant circuit having a reactance dependent on deflection of the probe relative to the surface. A scanner is provided for scanning the probe across the surface such that the probe follows said deformations. A detector reads data stored on the surface by detecting variation of the resonant frequency of said circuit.

Abstract: A storage apparatus comprises a storage medium (27) on which information can be stored in form of electronic charge. The storage medium (27) comprises a plurality of separated electrically conductive charge-storing elements (4) on its surface. The apparatus further comprises a read/write head (28) with which the information can be written to and/or read from the storage medium (27). Additionally, it contains driving means (29, 30, 31) which serves to move the read/write head (28) and the storage medium (27) relatively to each other. The read/write head (28) comprises cantilever means (2) with an electrically conductive read/write tip (1) which is connected to read/write means (24). For writing, a charge-, voltage or current source (33) that delivers the electronic charge is provided. For reading, measure means (36) which measures the electronic charge is provided.

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: A detection apparatus, a detection method and an electron beam irradiation apparatus for detecting deflection electrons in order to precisely focus even if a vacuum seal valve is provided. An electron beam irradiation apparatus including a vacuum seal valve mechanism which is provided in a static pressure floating pad, and opens/closes an electron beam passage with a piston so as to switch between an electron beam irradiation state and a vacuum seal state, and a deflection electron detector which is provided between the vacuum seal valve mechanism and a master disk and detects a deflection electron signal generated from the master disk with electron beam irradiation.

Abstract: A data storage unit is disclosed. The data storage unit can comprise a data storage layer having a plurality of data storage areas. Each data storage area can be configured to carry at least one bit of data. An electron beam emitter can be configured to selectively direct a beam of electrons toward the data storage layer to enable one or more of the data storage areas to be read. The data storage layer can further be configured to filter the beam of electrons directed toward the data storage layer according to a state of the data storage area. The data storage unit further comprises a layer adjacent to the data storage layer (LASL) in which carriers are generated in response to the number of electrons reaching the LASL. A detection region can be in carrier communication with the LASL and configured to measure carrier transport in the detection region to determine the state of the storage area.

Abstract: A focused ion beam (FIB) apparatus is used to record analog (i.e. continuous) and/or digital (i.e. discrete) images or data within a medium, which is then recoverable by exposing this storage medium to a light source and observing the light reflected, transmitted, and/or diffracted by the medium from a specified reception point relative to the source light and the medium surface. Changes in the optical properties of the medium surface can be achieved in a controllable and predictable way over spatial regions as small as the tightest focus of a FIB in one or several of the following ways (In the following list, “structure” is defined as a polished, solid surface to which has been added either none, one, or several optical thin films of materials which differ from the adjacent materials): 1) Changes in structure optical properties due to implantation into a substrate. 2) Changes in structure optical properties due to implantation into and milling of a substrate.

Abstract: Stable writing is performed in a super high density hard disk where writing by magnetic field is difficult. A layered thin film structure including at least a magnetic metallic layer/a non-magnetic metallic layer/a magnetic metallic layer is formed, and a metallic probe is brought close to this multilayer film on the order of nano-meters. A quantum well state created in the multilayer film is changed by applying a voltage between the metallic probe and the multilayer film, resulting in a relative magnetic field between the magnetic metallic layers being changed. At this time, an assistance magnetic field is applied in the writing magnetization direction.

Abstract: A dielectric recording medium is provided with three layers of: a dielectric material, an electric conductor, and a substrate, and has a groove on the recording surface of the dielectric material. The groove is provided with one or a plurality of grooves. When a voltage is applied to a probe, the dielectric material just under the probe is polarized depending on an electric field generated between the electric conductor and the probe, which allows recording. Moreover, the groove facilitates the probe tracking since the probe scans along this groove.

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: Read/write components for AFM-based data storage devices are provided. In particular embodiments, a read/write component comprises lever means and a support structure, the lever means being connected to the support structure for substantially pivotal movement. The lever means provides first and second current paths between a pair of electrical supply lines on the support structure via which the lever means can be connected in use to power supply means operable in a write mode and a read mode. A write-mode heater is provided on the lever means in the first current path, and a read/write tip is provided on the write-mode heater. A read-mode heater is provided on the lever means in the second current path. Decoupling means is arranged to inhibit current flow to the write-mode heater via the first current path in use when the power supply means is operated in the read mode.

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: 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: An information storage device having a hard disk has a metal probe that is brought closely to the surface of a multilayer film that includes a magnetic metal layer, a non-magnetic metal layer, and a magnetic metal layer up to a nano-meter order distance from the surface. The distance between the metal probe and the surface of the multilayer film, as well as the voltage to be applied are changed to change the state of the quantum well generated in the multilayer film, thereby changing the magnetizing direction relatively between the two magnetic metal layers. To read magnetization information from the hard disk, a change of an optically induced tunnel current is used. The change of the tunnel current is caused by a change of a plasmon resonance energy according to a relative change of the magnetizing direction between the magnetic metal layers.

Abstract: An ID information, user data, and a control information are disposed each in one block, and coded for error correction. The user data and control information are disposed in an ECC block 1, while the ID information is disposed in an ECC block 2. The ECC blocks 1 and 2 are coded separately for error correction. The blocks thus coded for error correction are disposed in one physical structure, data is modulated, a sync signal is added to the modulated data, and then the data is written to an optical disc having the above data format.

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: In a method of producing an optical aperture, there is provided an object having a substrate, at least one conical- or pyramidal-shaped tip disposed on the substrate, at least one stopper disposed on the substrate in the vicinity of the tip and having a height substantially equal to a height of the tip, and an opaque film disposed at least on the tip. A pressing body is disposed relative to the object so that a surface of the pressing body is disposed over the tip and at least a portion of the stopper. The pressing body is then displaced to bring the surface of the pressing body into contact with the object so that a force component is directed to a front end of the tip to form an optical aperture at the front end of the tip.

Abstract: A storage device and a storage system employing the storage device. In one embodiment, the storage devices include an electron emitter and a storage medium in close proximity to the electron emitter. The storage medium includes a phase change material. A read signal detector capable of detecting light is provided in communication with the storage medium.

Abstract: There is provided an information storage apparatus including recording medium and a head. The recording medium has an electrode layer, a magnetic layer that is stacked on the electrode layer, and a wear-resistant thin film that is stacked on the magnetic layer. The head has a conductive probe for injecting charge to record information and sensing the charge injected into the recording medium to reproduce information in a state that the conductive probe contacts the recording medium. A magnetic medium, which is coated with a wear-resistant thin film, stores charges to record information and reproduce information using an electrostatic force. Thus, it is possible to stably store highly integrated information. Also, a probe contacts a recording medium to record and reproduce information at a high speed. Thus, sensitivity and resolution can be improved.

Abstract: A rewritable data storage using a carbonaceous material writes or erases information represented by the carbonaceous material by means of a current induced electrochemical reaction on a conductive layer, by controlling a voltage applied across the space between a cantilever tip and the conductive layer. Also, the size of the carbonaceous material representing information is controlled by the level of the applied voltage or the application duration.

Abstract: An optical data storage device includes an optically readable disk that has a body extending in a radial direction from a central axis. The body has a side and an elongated portion that extends along the side. The elongated portion includes a first side surface and a second side surface. A plurality of optically readable discontinuities may be located on each of the first side surface and the second side surface of the elongated portion.