Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device, comprising one or more disks; a head, configured to be positioned proximate to a disk surface among the one or more disks; a temperature sensor; and one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices are configured to: detect, via the temperature sensor, a non-nominal heat dissipation of a portion of the head; and, in response to detecting the non-nominal heat dissipation of the portion of the head, mitigate the non-nominal heat dissipation of the portion of the head.

Abstract: A reader (12) is provided with: a near-field light device (122) having (i) one or a plurality of quantum dots and (ii) an output end (224) laminated on an upper layer of the one or plurality of quantum dot layers; and a light receiving device (124) which is configured to receive light caused by near-field light formed by the near-field light device upon reproduction of record information on a recording medium. According to the reader, the information recorded by heat assisted magnetic recording can be reproduced without providing a separate magnetic circuit.

Abstract: An upconverting device for enhanced recognition of selected wavelengths is provided. The device comprises a transparent light transmitter in combination with a plurality of upconverting nanoparticles. The device may a lens in eyewear or alternatively a transparent panel such as a window in an instrument or machine. In use the upconverting device is positioned between a light source and the eye(s) of the user of the upconverting device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for generating nano patterns upon material surfaces. The method for generating nano patterns upon material surfaces comprises the following steps: providing a thin film capable of controlling lattice directions, applying a nanoindentation action to the thin film to generate an indentation at a specific position on the thin film. At least one hillock is then generated in a specific direction to generate a pattern and to be applied to a data storage system.

Abstract: Provided is a highly selective and non-destructive method and apparatus for the measurement of one or more target molecules within a target environment. The apparatus comprises of a modified AFM (atomic force microscope) tip to create a tapered nanoscale co-axial cable, and wherein the application of an alternating potential between the inner and outer electrodes of the co-axial cable creates a dielectrophoretic force for attracting molecules toward the tip-end which is pre-treated with one or more specific ligands.

Abstract: An arrangement, a method and a system to read information stored in a layer of ferroelectric media. The arrangement includes a layer including a ferroelectric media having one or more ferroelectric domains holding bit charges, a domain corresponding to information; a probe having a tip, wherein the media and the tip are adapted to move relative to one another such that the tip scans the ferroelectric domains of the media while applying a contact force to the domains to generate a direct piezoelectric effect within the domains; and circuitry coupled to the tip and adapted to generate a signal in response to an electrical coupling between the tip and the domains while scanning the tip in contact with the domains, the signal corresponding to a readout signal for ferroelectric bit charges stored in the media.

Abstract: Sidewall tracing nanoprobes, in which the tip shape of the nanoprobe Is altered so that the diameter or width of the very tip of the probe is wider than the diameter of the supporting stem. Such side protruding probe tips are fabricated by a subtractive method of reducing the stem diameter, an additive method of increasing the tip diameter, or sideway bending of the probe tip. These sidewall tracing nanoprobes are useful for inspection of semiconductor devices, especially to quantitatively evaluate the defects on the side wall of trenches or via holes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a data storage apparatus, an assembling method thereof and an apparatus for generating a tracking position error signal capable of storing data using recording media formed with patterns for generating tracking position error signals to obviate errors that may be generated amidst storage of the data, wherein the patterns are formed for generating tracking position error signals on recording media before the recording media and storage are assembled to reduce the manufacturing cost and manufacturing process time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling movements of a positioner of a micro-scanner, the method comprising: determining the vibration resonance frequency ranges of the positioner, and performing a main scan by a controlled movement of the positioner.

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: The invention relates to a nanoprobe comprising a silica fiber (2) with an end opening having a diameter of less than 100 nm, and a metallic sheath (11). The total diameter of the silica part and the metallic sheath (11) is less than 300 nm. The invention also relates to a method for producing one such nanoprobe.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating carbon nanotubes aligned on a tip are provided. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating carbon nanotubes aligned on a tip includes forming nanostructures on the tip, and aligning the nanostructures on the tip using a fluid flowing on the tip.

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: A ferroelectric recording medium and a writing method for the same are provided. The ferroelectric recording medium includes a ferroelectric layer which reverses its polarization when receiving a predetermined coercive voltage. A nonvolatile anisotrophic conduction layer is formed on the ferroelectric layer. A resistance of the anisotrophic conduction layer decreases when receiving a first voltage lower than the coercive voltage, and the resistance of the anisotrophic conduction layer increases when receiving a second voltage higher than the coercive voltage. Multi-bit information is stored by a combination of polarization states of the ferroelectric layer and the resistance of the anisotrophic conduction layer. Accordingly, multiple bits can be expressed on one domain of the ferroelectric recording medium.

Abstract: A micro actuator having separated stages and a data storage apparatus employing the same are provided. The micro actuator includes: a supporting unit; stages that are elastically supported by the supporting unit, each stage having a mounting surface where a target driven body is mounted thereon, and arranged adjacent to each other; levers which are disposed between the stages, each lever having two ends respectively connected to adjacent stages, and which apply force to the adjacent stages so that when one of the stages is moved, an adjacent stage is moved in an opposite direction to a moving direction of the moved stage; and driving units which respectively provide a driving force to the stages.

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: 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: A process manufactures a probe intended to interact with a storage medium of a probe-storage system, wherein a sacrificial layer is deposited on top of a substrate; a hole is formed in the sacrificial layer; a mold layer is deposited; the mold layer is etched via the technique for forming spacers so as to form a mold region delimiting an opening having an area decreasing towards the substrate. Then a stack of conductive layers is deposited on top of the sacrificial layer, the stack is etched so as to form a suspended structure, formed by a pair of supporting arms arranged to form a V, and an interaction tip projecting monolithically from the supporting arms. Then a stiffening structure is formed, of insulating material, and the suspended structure is fixed to a supporting wafer. The substrate, the sacrificial layer, and, last, the mold region are then removed.

Abstract: An encapsulated nanostructure fabricated using layers of polymer material and further processed for use in a micro-scale target device is presented. The fabrication includes the formation on a substrate of an array of encapsulated nanostructures. The encapsulated nanostructures each include a nanostructure and a micro-scale, multi-block structure that encapsulates the nanostructure. Each encapsulated nanostructure can be made usable by a target device by removing, e.g., by etching, one of the layers to expose a portion of the nanostructure.

Abstract: Provided are a ferroelectric recording medium and a method of manufacturing the same. The ferroelectric recording medium includes a substrate, a plurality of supporting layers which are formed on the substrate, each of the supporting layers having at least two lateral surfaces; and data recording layers formed on the lateral surfaces of the supporting layers. First and second data recording layers may be respectively disposed on two facing lateral surfaces of each of the supporting layers. The supporting layers may be polygonal pillars having at least three lateral surfaces. A plurality of the supporting layers can be disposed at uniform intervals in a two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A media for an information storage device includes a substrate of single-crystal silicon, a buffer layer of an epitaxial single crystal insulator formed over the substrate, a bottom electrode layer of an epitaxial single crystal conductor formed over the buffer layer, a ferroelectric layer of an epitaxial single crystal ferroelectric material formed over the bottom electrode layer, and an overlayer of an epitaxial single crystal material formed over the ferroelectric layer. Dipole charges generally having a first orientation exist at an interface between the bottom electrode layer and the ferroelectric layer includes, while dipole charges generally having a second orientation opposite the first orientation exist at an interface between the ferroelectric layer and the overlayer includes.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a storage media having a surface coated with a lubricant, and a plurality of probes having tips contacting the lubricant, wherein the probes are coated with one of a fluorocarbon, perfluoropolyether, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyethylene, or a hydrocarbon polymer.

Abstract: An array of vertically aligned electron emitting nanotips such as multiwall carbon nanotubes are formed and patterned for use as a lithographic stamp. The spacing and/or arrangement of the nanotips correspond to a predetermined pattern that is desired to be formed on an opposing substrate. Simultaneous actuation of the nanotips by a common electrode forms a pattern on the opposing substrate without any necessary scanning techniques or use of masks. Applying a sufficient electrical potential between the array and the substrate generates electron emission from the tips so as to cure a resist, produce localized electrochemical reactions, establish localized electrostatic charge distributions or perform other desirable coating or etching process steps so as to create nanoelectronic circuitry or to facilitate molecular or nanoscale processing.

Abstract: A nanoprobe-based heating apparatus includes a nanoprobe, a heating unit, a gap control unit, and a support unit. The nanoprobe has a tip forming at an end of the nanoprobe, and the tip applies heat to a magnetic recording bit of a recording medium. The heating unit heats the nanoprobe. The gap control unit controls a gap between the nanoprobe and the recording medium. The support unit supports the nanoprobe, the heating unit, and the gap control unit. The nanoprobe-based heating apparatus is installed at a magnetic recording head of a magnetic hard disk drive to be able to heat an ultra-fine region of a recording medium very rapidly by applying heat together with a magnetic field.

Abstract: C-MEMS architecture having carbon structures with high surface areas due to high aspect ratios and nanoscale surface enhancements, and improved systems and methods for producing such structures are provided. Specifically, high aspect ratio carbon structures are microfabricated by pyrolyzing a patterned carbon precursor polymer. Pyrolysing the polymer preferably comprises a multi-step process in an atmosphere of inert and forming gas at high temperatures that trail the glass transition temperature (Tg) for the polymer. The surface area of the carbon microstructures is increases by nanotexturing the surface through oxygen plasma exposure, and by integrating nanoscale structures with the carbon microstructures by exposing the carbon microstructures and a catalyst to hydrocarbon gas. In a preferred embodiment, the carbon microstructures are the source of carbon gas.

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 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: A magnetic device includes a write element having a write element tip and is operable to generate a first field at the write element tip. A conductor is proximate the write element tip for carrying a current to generate a second field that augments the first field. An encapsulating layer is on at least one surface of the conductor, wherein the encapsulating layer is made of a material that increases a maximum sustainable current density of the conductor to greater than about 108 A/cm2.

Abstract: A memory apparatus comprises a media, a tip adapted to write information to and read information from said media, a media movement mechanism attached to said media and configured to move said media in response to media control signals, and a capacitive sensor configured to detect an amount of relative movement of said media and said tip in at least an x-axis direction. The capacitive sensor includes a fixed comb having fingers protruding in an x-axis direction, a moving comb connected having fingers protruding in an x-axis direction, and an electrical path connected to said fixed comb and an electrical path connected to said moving comb. The relative movement in at least the x-axis direction is determined at least in part on a change in capacitance between said fixed and moving combs of said capacitive sensor.

Abstract: A magneto-resistance effect element comprises a stacked body which comprises a pinned layer having a fixed magnetization direction, a free layer having a magnetization direction that varies according to an external magnetic field, and a nonmagnetic spacer layer which is interposed between the pinned layer and the free layer. The stacked body having a constricted shape in which at least one part of the spacer layer is constricted when viewed from at least one direction perpendicular to a stacked direction of the stacked body.

Abstract: A molecular memory media having a media surface and a platform with read/write heads. The platform and media are moved to allow one of addition, removal, and repositioning of atoms, electrons, and charges on a surface of the media. The media is a material capable of storing data written to it, and detectable using a vibrating tip sensor that resonates at a free space value which is phase shifted when charges or anomalies on a surface of the media are present. Other methods of reading and writing to the media are presented. The media may be enhanced by augmenting grain boundaries of the media vis deposition and removal of PMMA materials. Servo trenches and sync bits identify positions of the read/write heads and maintain alignment during memory operations.