Cantilever including a fulcrum to actuate a probe tip for use in systems and methods of probe data storage

Abstract

A memory apparatus comprises a media, a platform, and a cantilever having a proximal end and a distal end. The cantilever is pivotably connected with the platform at a fulcrum between the distal end and the proximal end. A conductor is associated with the platform and arranged between the proximal end and the platform. A tip extends from the distal end and is adapted to write information to and read information from the media. When an electrostatic potential is applied between the proximal end and the conductor, a force urges the proximal end relative to the conductive plate and the cantilever pivots about the fulcrum, thereby causing the tip to be urged related to the platform.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY [0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 465,592 entitled “Molecular Memory Medium and Molecular Memory Integrated Circuit,” filed Dec. 17, 1999, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 112,787 entitled “Molecular Memory Medium and Molecular Memory Integrated Circuit,” filed Dec. 18, 1998.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to memory reading and writing apparatus. The invention is more particularly related to memory reading and writing apparatus that utilize operations on single atoms or molecules, and groups of atoms or molecules for performing memory reading and writing. REFERENCES [0004] This application incorporates by reference, in their entirety, the following documents: [0005] 1) U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,970, (Rust et al.) [0006] 2) AFM Fabricates a Tiny Transistor, Science Vol. 266, 28 Oct. 1994, p. 543 [0007] 3) Gold deposition from a scann...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0035] 7) The present invention utilizes platforms of very low mass. As a result, the present invention provides fast access speed.

[0055] e) analyzing patterns of current and / or voltage between a fine tip and the surface of the molecular media which vary over time during the reading of each bit, in conjunction with topological information concerning the media surface computed dynamically, to provide very high speed access to the information stored.

[0057] The medium of a molecular memory surface can by any one of a large class of materials. The present invention describes a number of different materials, and several different techniques for reading and writing the materials. The present invention allows for a large class of materials to be used as the memory surface by virtue of the ability of the read / write head to fly above a relatively uneven surface at very high speeds, and the large range of forces with which to read and write information.

Problems solved by technology

Current technologies using movement of atoms and molecules (molecular scale technologies) are not practical because my problems exist regarding the efficient reading, writing (including maintaining a high density of storage) on media materials.

Further problems with current devices include structures that are difficult or impossible to build using existing tools.

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