Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) transducer coupled with a laser are described. The EAMR transducer has an air-bearing surface (ABS) configured to reside in proximity to a media during use. The method and system include providing at least one waveguide, at least one write pole, and at least one coil. The waveguide(s) are for directing the energy from the laser toward the ABS. The write pole(s) each include a write pole tip, a yoke, a back pedestal and a return pole. The write pole tip is coupled to the back pedestal through the yoke. The back pedestal has at least one aperture therein. The aperture(s) are configured to allow the energy from the laser to pass therethrough. The coil(s) are for energizing the at least one write pole.

Abstract: A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk drive uses a “wide-area” heater with “shingled” recording. In shingled recording, the write head pole tip is wider than the read head in the cross-track direction and writes magnetic transitions by making a plurality of consecutive circular paths that partially overlap. The non-overlapped portions of adjacent paths form the data tracks, which are thus narrower than the width of the write pole tip. The data tracks are grouped into annular bands and when data is to be rewritten, all of the data tracks in an annular band are also rewritten. The wide-area heater may be a waveguide with an output end that generates a heated area on the disk recording layer which is wider than the cross-track width of the write pole tip. It has been determined that the use of a wide-area heater with shingled recording does not result in any significant adjacent track erasure (ATE).

Abstract: A microwave assisted magnetic head of the present invention includes: at least two or more auxiliary coils that are arranged in a periphery of a writing main pole; and microwave current supply means that applies microwave currents to the at least two or more auxiliary coils. The at least two or more auxiliary coils respectively include linear body parts linearly arranged on an ABS side, two of the linear body parts of the at least two or more auxiliary coils are arranged in a substantially orthogonal positional relationship, and the microwave current supply means is configured such that the microwave current supply means changes phase differences of the microwave currents applied respectively to the at least two or more auxiliary coils. Therefore, the microwave current can be easily controlled, and thus, a circularly polarized magnetic field with high magnetization inversion efficiency can be generated as an assistance magnetic field.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus includes an optical source and a near-field light generating unit. The near-field light generating unit includes two conductors facing to each other at a predetermined distance and generating near-field light between the two conductors by irradiation of light from the optical source. These two conductors are arranged so that a direction along which the two conductors face to each other is substantially in parallel with the longitudinal direction of a recording mark region. Here, the recording mark region is prepared from a predetermined recording material and having shape anisotropy when information is recorded on a recording medium on which the recording mark is independently formed.

Abstract: A recording/reproduction apparatus includes: a light source; and a near-field light production section that includes two conductor sections disposed opposite each other with a predetermined gap therebetween and that produces near-field light between the two conductor sections upon light irradiation from the light source, the two conductor sections being disposed such that when information is recorded on a recording medium using the near-field light, a direction from one of the two conductor sections to the other of the two conductor sections is generally perpendicular to a line direction of the recording medium.

Abstract: The presently disclosed technology teaches a transducer head with a read sensor, a write pole, and one or more waveform sensors attached to the transducer head. Further, a waveform propagates in the direction of a BPM and the waveform sensor is configured to detect the waveform after it is reflected from the BPM. Additionally, a spin-polarized current is influenced by the BPM and a spin angular momentum sensor detects changes in spin angular momentum of the current. Further, a processor relates at least one property of the reflected waveform and/or current with positions of patterned bits on the BPM. The processor may then modify a timing signal and/or transducer head position to ensure that data bits are accurately written to the BPM. The end result is the ability to more quickly and accurately detect the patterned bits and synchronize a position of the transducer head with the patterned bits.

Abstract: A magnetic recording head capable of a satisfying thermally-assisted magnetic recording without depending on the use of a near-field light generator is provided. The head comprises a waveguide and a main magnetic pole having a main pole tip. Further, at least a portion of the main pole tip is embedded in a groove provided in the upper surface of the waveguide. Further, a second clad layer is provided on the first clad layer and on a rear side from the main pole tip. This configuration of the first and second clad layers suppresses the absorption of the light propagating through the waveguide by the main magnetic pole. Further, the configuration in which at least a portion of the main pole tip is embedded in the groove can cause the distance between the light spot center of the waveguide and the main magnetic pole to be sufficiently small.

Abstract: A surface-condition-information obtaining unit obtains information on a surface condition of a rewritable display medium on which information is reversely displayed visually. A write-laser output unit outputs a write laser to irradiate the rewritable display medium with the write laser, to perform a drawing on the rewritable display medium. A control unit performs a write process for displaying an image on the rewritable display medium by adjusting a laser output condition based on the information obtained by the surface-condition-information obtaining unit and controlling the write-laser output unit based on an adjustment of the laser output condition.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). In an illustrative example, a device includes a magnetic write pole having a convex pole tip; a magnetic opposing pole longitudinally displaced from the magnetic write pole; and a thermal-source component disposed proximate to the magnetic write pole and comprising a laterally elongated thermal-source peg disposed proximate to the convex pole tip.

Abstract: A magneto-optical device (MOD) with optically induced magnetization for use in magnetic field sensors as a magnetic element pinning a magnetization in a preferred direction of a ferromagnetic layer as well as a magnetic memory cell for magneto-optical recording. The MOD comprises the Mg—Mg—Co ferrite film deposited on a magnesium oxide (MgO) substrate. The ferrite film is illuminated at room temperature with a circularly polarized light (CPL) in a static magnetic H-field (about of 3 kOe) normal to the illuminated ferrite film surface. At certain (“writing”) combinations of H, sigma (CPL helicity), the long-lived optically induced magnetization with a unidirectional anisotropy, stable to a conventional demagnetization occurs. For readout of information, conventional magnetoresistive sensors and MFM can be used. To erase information, the ferrite film should be illuminated with two field-light combinations, other than “writing”, or annealed at temperature higher than 530 degrees C.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive are described. A media for storing data and a slider are provided. The slider has a back side, a trailing face, and an air-bearing surface (ABS) opposite to the back side. At least one laser is coupled with the trailing face of the slider, and has an optic axis substantially parallel to the trailing face. The laser(s) provide energy substantially along the optic axis. Optics are coupled with the trailing face of the slider and receive the energy from the laser(s) via free space. At least one EAMR transducer coupled with the slider. At least part of the EAMR transducer resides in proximity to the ABS. The optics direct the energy from the laser(s) to the EAMR transducer(s). The EAMR transducer(s) receive the energy from the optics and write to the media using the energy.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an energy assisted magnetic recording (EAMR) disk drive are described. The EAMR disk drive includes a media, a slider having a trailing face, at least one EAMR head on the slider, and at least one vertical surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The VCSEL(s) includes a plurality of quantum wells and an extended resonance cavity. The VCSEL(s) provides energy to the EAMR disk drive. The extended resonance cavity extends into the slider and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the trailing face of the slider. The EAMR head(s) include grating(s), waveguide(s), a write pole, and coil(s) for energizing the write pole. At least a portion of the grating(s) reside in the extended resonance cavity and couple energy from the VCSEL to the waveguide(s). The waveguide(s) direct the energy from the grating(s) toward the media.

Abstract: A recording medium, method and apparatus for managing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reproducing main data and additional data. The method includes receiving the additional data associated with the main data, the additional data being divided into a plurality of segment units; and reproducing the additional data in a synchronous manner with the main data using time information if indication information indicates a presence of the time information. The time information indicates a presentation time of the additional data with respect to the main data. The main data and the additional data are reproduced according to management data, the management data including link information for linking the main data and the additional data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presensitizing film, including providing an assembly of heads comprising N left heads, a center head, and N right heads, each head being configured to effect a corresponding process P, on one or more regions of a film, activating the left heads and the center head sequentially over a first region of the film, in response to the head assembly moving from left to right with respect to the film, and activating the right heads and the center head sequentially over a second region of the film, in response to the head assembly moving from right to left with respect to the film.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic recording medium includes a substrate and at least two, i.e., first and second magnetic recording layers. These layers are hard magnetic layers and contain magnetic grains and a non-magnetic substance magnetically segregating the magnetic grains at grain boundaries. The first magnetic recording layer has a magnetic anisotropy energy Ku1, a grain volume v1, and energy for maintaining its recording magnetization Ku1v1; the second magnetic recording layer has a magnetic anisotropy energy Ku2, a grain volume v2, and energy for maintaining its recording magnetization Ku2v2; and the ratio Ku1v1/kBT of Ku1v1 to a thermal fluctuation energy kBT, where kB represents a Boltzmann constant and T represents an absolute temperature, and the ratio Ku2v2/kBT of Ku2v2 to kBT satisfy the following conditions: Ku1v1/kBT is larger than Ku2v2/kBT at room temperature, but is smaller than Ku2v2/kBT at temperatures around the Curie temperature of the first magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A thermally assisted magnetic head has a medium-facing surface facing a magnetic recording medium; a near-field light generator disposed on a light exit face in the medium-facing surface; a magnetic recording element located adjacent to the near-field light generator; and a light emitting element disposed so that emitted light thereof reaches the near-field light generator; the near-field light generator is comprised of a cusp portion and a base portion; when ?in represents a wavelength of the emitted light from the light emitting element immediately before the emitted light reaches the near-field light generator, an intensity of near-field light generated when the material forming the cusp portion is irradiated with the light of the wavelength ?in is stronger than an intensity of near-field light generated when the material forming the base portion is irradiated with the light of the wavelength ?in.

Abstract: A system according to one embodiment includes a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer with features in a discrete track configuration or a bit patterned configuration and an underlayer adjacent the magnetic layer, the underlayer comprising a material capable of forming surface plasmon resonance; and a magnetic head having: a writer for writing to the medium; and a near-field transducer for heating the medium for thermally assisted recording. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR). In an illustrative example, a device includes a magnetic write pole having a convex pole tip; a magnetic opposing pole longitudinally displaced from the magnetic write pole; and a thermal-source component disposed proximate to the magnetic write pole and comprising a laterally elongated thermal-source peg disposed proximate to the convex pole tip.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Abstract: A position detection device, a position detection method, a position detection control device, a position detection control method, a position detection control program, an access authentication device, an access authentication method, an access authentication control device, an access authentication control method, an access authentication control program, an information storage device, and an optical disk are provided, all of which make it possible to prevent illegal copying of the information recorded in a recording medium. An information recording/playback device detects the position on an optical disk of an RFID tag provided to the optical disk, and writes the detected position on the optical disk of the RFID tag into the RFID tag as the position information.

Abstract: A method of scanning over a substrate includes implementing a write mode of the substrate by scanning a probe across a substrate, the probe having a spring cantilever probe mechanically fixed to a probe holding structure, a tip with a nanoscale apex, and an actuator for lateral positioning of the tip; the actuator comprising a thermally switchable element and a heating element for heating the thermally switchable element; and heating the heating element to a given temperature so as to locally soften a portion of the substrate and applying a force to the softened portion of the substrate through the tip so as to create one or more indentation marks in the softened portion of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording head and a recording apparatus including the same are provided. The heat-assisted magnetic recording head includes a recording portion which produces magnetic field for recording information to a magnetic recording medium, and a waveguide which transmits light therethrough disposed to be adjacent to the recording portion and which emits the light toward the magnetic recording medium, wherein the waveguide comprises a light incident surface; a tapered portion having progressively narrower sections along the transmission direction of the light incident on the light incident surface and entering the waveguide; and a light-emitting surface which emits the light after the light is transmitted through the tapered portion.

Abstract: Provided are a resistive memory device having a probe array and a method of manufacturing the same. The resistive memory device includes a memory part having a bottom electrode and a ferroelectric layer sequentially formed on a first substrate; a probe part having an array of resistive probes arranged on a second substrate, with the tips of the resistive probes facing the ferroelectric layer so as to write and read data on the ferroelectric layer; and a binding layer which grabs and fixes the resistive probes on or above the ferroelectric layer. The method of manufacturing the resistive memory device includes forming a bottom electrode and a ferroelectric layer sequentially on a first substrate; forming an array of resistive probes on a second substrate; and wafer level bonding the first substrate to the second substrate using a binding layer such that tips of the resistive probes face the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for image processing and an image processing apparatus which are capable of performing repetitive forming and erasing of high-contrast images at high speeds by forming high-density, uniform images and uniformly erasing images in a short period of time, and in addition, suppressing the degradation of the thermoreversible recording medium due to repetitive forming and erasing is possible.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing apparatus including a recording medium that includes at least a substrate, a reflection layer disposed on the substrate, and a recording layer disposed so as to interpose the reflection layer between the substrate and the recording layer, and a near-field optical head, disposed close to the recording medium, for irradiating the recording medium with near-field light to effect recording and reproduction of information. The near-field optical head includes a light-blocking metal film which includes a dielectric base material provided with a small opening and which is disposed opposite to the reflection layer disposed on the substrate, so that the light-blocking metal film and the reflection layer constitute an optical resonator to increase intensity of the near-field light.

Abstract: A creation method of charged particle beam writing data for writing a pattern using a charged particle beam based on design data of circuits includes creating, based on the design data, a location data file including location data, as part of the writing data, the location data being defined for locating one of a plurality of pattern data composed of one or more elementary patterns in each block area of a plurality of block areas, the plurality of block areas being made by virtually dividing a writing area, creating, based on the design data, a pattern data file including pattern data composed of one or more elementary patterns, as part of the writing data, and creating, based on the design data, a link file including link data for linking each of the location data and each of the pattern data, as part of the writing data.

Abstract: In general, the invention features methods by which more-than one client program connected to a network stores the same data item on a storage device of a data repository connected to the network. In one aspect, the method comprises encrypting the data item using a key derived from the content of the data item, determining a digital fingerprint of the data item, and storing the data item on the storage device at a location or locations associated with the digital fingerprint. In a second aspect, the method comprises determining a digital fingerprint of the data item, testing for whether the data item is already stored in the repository by comparing the digital fingerprint of the data item to the digital fingerprints of data items already in storage in the repository, and challenging a client that is attempting to deposit a data item already stored in the repository, to ascertain that the client has the full data item.

Abstract: In a method of creating a permanent structure with high spatial resolution, a substance which may be modified by an optical signal is provided in a writing area. The optical signal is applied to the writing area in such a way that a spatially limited partial area of the writing area is purposefully omitted, the spatially limited partial area being a local intensity minimum of the optical signal, and the optical signal, outside of the spatially limited partial area, being applied to the writing area in such a way that saturation is achieved in modifying the substance with the optical signal. Then, different states of the substance in the spatially limited partial area and of the substance in the partial areas of the writing area covered by the optical signal are permanently adjusted.

Abstract: Apparatuses, a method, and a system for a non-volatile, probe-based memory device are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, probe-based memory may be one-time programmable or rewritable nonvolatile probe-based memory.

Abstract: An operational amplifier including a pair of differential input transistors is provided with a feedback resistor switching circuit and a variable current source. When a loaded optical disk is a DVD-ROM, the feedback resistor switching circuit reduces a gain of the operational amplifier and the variable current source selects a large current (of, for example, 1 mA) as a common bias current supplied to the differential input transistors. When the loaded optical disk is a DVD-RAM with low reflectance and low recording/reproducing speed, the feedback resistor switching circuit enhances the gain of the operational amplifier and the variable current source selects a small current (of, for example, 0.5 mA) as the common bias current.

Abstract: A method of forming a conductive pattern can form a conductive pattern where the aspect ratio of the height to the width is high with favorable electrical connectivity.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for deterring theft of media recording devices. Input received from a sensor, or some portion of the input, is encrypted prior to storing a media file. A decryption key must be provided when the media file is to be played back. If the key is not provided, then the file is preferably still played back, but is played back in a degraded manner. For example, a background color or other filler may be rendered in place of the encrypted portion. Additional parts of the file may also be degraded during playback. By making the playback unpleasant for the listener/viewer, theft of the recording device will be much less desirable—yet recording can continue uninterrupted, thereby minimizing disruption to legitimate users. The disclosed techniques may also be used to deter theft of the recorded media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CPU-containing LSI in which software stored in an external memory is incorporated partially into a RAM and thereby the capacity of the RAM to be used can be held down, and an optical disk device including the same. In the CPU-containing LSI, the RAM includes a software storage region where software read in from the external memory on a module-by-module basis is stored, and an entry table in which entries are stored, with the entries each containing at least information as to a location and a size of a module stored in the software storage region. The CPU refers to the entry table to decide the location where a module to be read in from the external memory to the software storage region is to be stored, according to an incorporation-location search program.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an information reproducing method. The method includes, from an information storage medium storing stream data having a plurality of advanced packs each including a resource file and an advanced ID to identify the resource file, acquiring respective advanced IDs, identifying respective resource files based on the respective advanced IDs, and reproducing the identified respective resource files.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an information reproducing method. The method includes, from an information storage medium storing stream data having a plurality of advanced packs each including a resource file and an advanced ID to identify the resource file, acquiring respective advanced IDs, identifying respective resource files based on the respective advanced IDs, and reproducing the identified respective resource files.

Abstract: A water transport plate assembly that is useful in fuel cells includes at least one hydrophilic article such as a flow field layer. A method of making the hydrophilic article includes establishing a hydrophilicity of the article by including a plurality of graphite particles (112) having a particular physical characteristic that imparts the hydrophilicity to the article. In one disclosed example, the selected graphite particles (112) have a wettability ratio of a hydrophilic surface area to a total surface area that is sufficient to make the article hydrophilic. In a disclosed example, the wettability ratio is more than 0.10. In a disclosed example, the graphite particles are selected based upon a percentage of prismatic surface area of the total surface area.

Abstract: A device for storing photons between one and a plurality of reflected surfaces, and the storage of information, in particular in the form of digital data, being provided by creating at least one circulating memory using the storage device as a delay line. Each device consists of one or a plurality of photon sources, using any wavelength of light, one or a plurality of photon detectors and one or a plurality of reflective surfaces. The injected photons are delayed from reaching the output by one or a plurality of reflections from one surface of the device to the same or another surface of the device, each reflection extending the distance traveled for each photon, thereby inducing a delay.

Abstract: A recording medium and a method and apparatus for managing data are provided. The method includes recording additional data in a data file separate from a file containing main data and recording navigation information that links the main data and the additional data. The additional data are segmented into a plurality of predetermined units, each of the predetermined units including time information indicating a presentation start time of the corresponding unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a phase-change optical information recording medium comprising a recording layer which reversibly phase-changes between the crystalline phase and the amorphous phase by irradiation of a light having a recording wavelength of 390 to 430 nm, and a light transmittance thermally controllable layer showing a light transmittance varying according to temperature, in which the light transmittance increases at a rate of 0.2 to 0.7% /10° C.

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 magnetic recording apparatus comprises a magnetic field impression unit, a current supplying unit and a controlling unit t. The magnetic field impression unit impresses a magnetic field to a magnetic recording medium. The current supplying unit supplies a current to the magnetic recording medium. The controlling unit makes the current supplying unit supply the current to the magnetic recording medium while making the magnetic field impression unit impress the magnetic field to at least a unit of a magnetic recording unit of the magnetic recording medium. Thus, a information is recorded magnetically by making a direction of a magnetization of the magnetic recording unit of the magnetic recording medium in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A plurality of redundant sets of servo data are recorded on a magnetic hard disk. The set meeting a predetermine criteria is employed when the hard disk is assembled into a hard disk drive. The determination of which set has the criteria may be conducted by the disk drive itself. The criteria may include a determination the set of servo data having meeting a minimum quality criteria or the fewest errors. The criteria may include a selection of a set of servo data having a specific pattern where the prerecorded sets may comprise a differing servo patterns that may be used by disk drives requiring specific servo patterns. The servo data are printed onto the hard disk by means of a stamper or mask having all the sets of servo data.

Abstract: A method of designing a thermally-assisted magnetic recording apparatus having a magnetic recording medium, a heater and a magnetic head includes, determining a stable retention time tst for recorded magnetization and a thermal-fluctuation stability coefficient ?st calculated from ?(T)=KuV/kBT, where Ku is a magnetic anisotropy energy density, V is an activation volume, and kB is Boltzmann's constant, obtaining an equivalent degradation time tEQ calculated from tEQ=?(?tEQ), that sums values of ?tEQ within a period of time ?t for a time span during which the medium is substantially degraded, where ?tEQ=exp(ln(?t)????st) and ? is a thermal-fluctuation stability coefficient for a medium temperature T in ?t, and determining specifications of the medium, the heater and the magnetic head in a manner to meet the relationship of tEQ<tst.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an artificial lattice multilayer film medium having both the excellent signal-noise ratio (S/N) and the high coercive force and demagnetization resistance by reconciling the reduction of transition noise and the high magnetic anisotropy, and a magnetic storage device having a high S/N and a high demagnetization resistance even at a high areal recording density by using the artificial lattice multilayer film medium. The magnetic recording medium of the present invention is a magnetic recording medium comprising at least a soft magnetic layer, a seed layer and a recording layer having a multilayer film structure comprising alternately laminated Co and Pd, these layers being successively laminated on a nonmagnetic substrate, where the recording layer comprises an aggregate of fcc crystal grains, the average value of (111) interplanar spacing of the fcc crystals is not more than 2.

Abstract: An operational amplifier including a pair of differential input transistors is provided with a feedback resistor switching circuit and a variable current source. When a loaded optical disk is a DVD-ROM, the feedback resistor switching circuit reduces a gain of the operational amplifier and the variable current source selects a large current (of, for example, 1 mA) as a common bias current supplied to the differential input transistors. When the loaded optical disk is a DVD-RAM with low reflectance and low recording/reproducing speed, the feedback resistor switching circuit enhances the gain of the operational amplifier and the variable current source selects a small current (of, for example, 0.5 mA) as the common bias current.

Abstract: A hard disk drive slider has an air bearing surface that uses the ambient air in the disk drive as a heat source for thermal-assisted recording. Incoming air between the slider and the disk surface is pressurized to produce heat sufficient to heat the recording media. A very small thermal pad is located at the trailing end of the air bearing surface and wraps around the magnetic recording head. The thermal pad includes small pockets to contain the heated air to provide heat to the recording media. The air can be pressurized to approximately 80 atm, which is sufficient to raise the air temperature to approximately 800 degrees C. at isentropic conditions. The heated air transfers the heat energy to the recording media by conduction to elevate a disk recording layer temperature for thermomagnetic recording.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetic pattern in a magnetic recording medium, which includes irradiating energy beams to a magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer on a substrate via a photomask having a transmitting portion and a nontransmitting portion to heat locally an irradiated portion of the magnetic layer. The method also includes applying an external magnetic field to the magnetic layer. The transmitting portion and the non-transmitting portion of the photomask each has a reflectivity of energy beam of 30% or less in at least one surface facing the magnetic recording medium. By using techniques of heating a local portion and applying an external magnetic field in combination, a fine magnetic pattern can be effectively and accurately formed while the production of an interference fringe is suppressed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high density nanostructures is provided. The method and apparatus include Nano-compact optical disks, such as nano-compact disks (Nano-CDS). In one embodiment a 400 Gbit/in2 topographical bit density nano-CD with nearly three orders of magnitude higher than commercial CDS has been fabricated using nanoimprint lithography. The reading and wearing of such Nano-CDS have been studied using scanning proximal probe methods. Using a tapping mode, a Nano-CD was read 1000 times without any detectable degradation of the disk or the silicon probe tip. In accelerated wear tests with a contact mode, the damage threshold was found to be 19 &mgr;N. This indicates that in a tapping mode, both the Nano-CD and silicon probe tip should have a lifetime that is at least four orders of magnitude longer than that at the damage threshold.

Abstract: This invention relates to magneto-optical recording media such as magneto-optical disks and cards, manufacturing methods of the medium and a magneto-optical recording and playback device to record and play back data using the magnetic-optical recording media. The magneto-optical recording medium has a recording layer and a reflective layer on a substrate, and the recording layer has a layered structure in which at least on spinel ferrite (or rutile-type oxide or hematite) layer and at least one garnet ferrite layer are piled together. The manufacturing method comprises the steps of heat treatment after the formation of the recording layer. In the magneto-optical recording and playback device to record and playback data, the wavelength of light for recording data is different from that for reading data, which is preferable for a magneto-optical recording medium comprising a garnet ferrite layer.