Cantilever Structure for Use in Seek-and-Scan Probe Storage

• US 20100039919A1
• Filed: 09/10/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nanochip, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nanochip, Inc.
• Inventors: Harrar, David II, Chou, Tsung-Kuan Allen
• Application Number:
  US12/207,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20100039919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 369/126
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 9/02 using ferroelectric record carriers; Record carriers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 9/1436 with provision for moving the heads or record carriers relatively to each other

Abstract

An information storage device comprises a media including a ferroelectric layer formed over a conductive layer, a tip substrate including a bottom actuation electrode, the tip substrate arranged opposite the media, and a cantilever connected with the tip substrate at a fulcrum and actuatable toward the media. The cantilever includes a first portion and a second portion, with the fulcrum located between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is conductive and arranged over the bottom actuation electrode while a top actuation electrode is associated with the second portion so that the top actuation electrode is opposite the media. A first potential is applied to the bottom actuation electrode to generate electrostatic force between the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion and a second potential is applied to the top actuation electrode to generate electrostatic force between the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer. The cantilever rotates when the first potential and the second potential are applied so that the tip contacts the media.

Claims

1. An information storage device comprising:

a media including a ferroelectric layer and a conductive layer;

a tip substrate including a bottom actuation electrode, the tip substrate arranged opposite the media;

a cantilever connected with the tip substrate at a fulcrum and actuatable toward the media including;

a first portion and a second portion,

wherein the fulcrum is located between the first portion and the second portion,

wherein the first portion is conductive and arranged over the bottom actuation electrode,

a tip extending from the second portion toward the media, and

a top actuation electrode associated with the second portion so that the top actuation electrode is opposite the media;

circuitry to apply a first potential between the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion to generate electrostatic force between the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion; and

circuitry to apply a second potential between the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer to generate electrostatic force between the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer; and

wherein the cantilever rotates when the first potential and the second potential are applied so that the tip contacts the media.

2. The information storage device of claim 1 wherein:

the first potential and the second potential are equal; and

the first potential and the second potential are applied by a common source.

3. The information storage device of claim 2 wherein the common source is electrically connected with one of the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion and one of the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer.

4. The information storage device of claim 1 wherein the first potential is applied by a first source and the second potential is applied by a second source.

5. The information storage device of claim 4 wherein the first source is electrically connected with one of the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion and the second source is electrically connected with one of the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer.

6. The information storage device of claim 1 wherein the fulcrum is a torsion beam.

7. The information storage device of claim 1 wherein the cantilever further includes an insulating material between the top actuation electrode and the second portion.

8. The information storage device of claim 1 wherein:

the second portion includes a frame to support the top actuation electrode; and

the top actuation electrode is suspended over gaps in the frame;

the gaps reduce a parasitic capacitance formed between the top actuation electrode and the second portion.

9. The information storage device of claim 4 wherein the second source can apply a carrier signal to the top actuation electrode, the carrier signal being modulated by a polarization of the ferroelectric layer.

10. The information storage device of claim 4 wherein the second source can apply a pumping signal to the top actuation electrode so that a contact force between the tip and the media varies with time.

11. An information storage device comprising:

a media including a recording layer and a conductive layer;

a tip substrate including a bottom actuation electrode and arranged opposite the media;

a cantilever including;

a first portion and a second portion;

a fulcrum arranged between the first portion and the second portion;

a conductive structure associated with the first portion and arranged opposite the bottom actuation electrode;

a tip extending from the second portion toward the media, and

a top actuation electrode associated with the second portion;

wherein when a first potential is applied to the bottom actuation electrode, an electrostatic force is generated between the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion; and

wherein when a second potential is applied the top actuation electrode, an electrostatic force is generated between the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer.

12. The information storage device of claim 11 wherein the cantilever rotates when the first potential and the second potential are applied so that the tip contacts the media.

13. The information storage device of claim 12 wherein:

the first potential and the second potential are equal; and

the first potential and the second potential are applied by a common source.

14. The information storage device of claim 13 wherein the common source is electrically connected with one of the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion and one of the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer.

15. The information storage device of claim 12 wherein the first potential is applied by a first source and the second potential is applied by a second source.

16. The information storage device of claim 15 wherein the first source is electrically connected with one of the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion and the second source is electrically connected with one of the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer.

17. The information storage device of claim 11 wherein the fulcrum is a torsion beam.

18. The information storage device of claim 11 wherein:

the second portion comprises a frame to support the top actuation electrode; and

the top actuation electrode is suspended over gaps in the frame;

the gaps reduce a parasitic capacitance formed between the top actuation electrode and the second portion.

19. The information storage device of claim 15 wherein the second source can apply a carrier signal to the top actuation electrode, the carrier signal being modulated by a polarization of the ferroelectric layer.

20. The information storage device of claim 15 wherein the second source can apply a pumping signal to the top actuation electrode so that a contact force between the tip and the media varies with time.

21. An information storage device comprising:

a media including a recording layer and a bottom media electrode;

a tip substrate arranged opposite the media;

a cantilever having a see-saw structure with a first portion and a second portion and a tip extending from the second portion;

a bottom actuation electrode associated with the first portion;

a top actuation electrode coupled with the second portion and electrically isolated from the tip;

wherein when a first potential is applied to the bottom actuation electrode, an electrostatic force is generated that urges the first portion toward the tip substrate; and

wherein when a second potential is applied the top actuation electrode, an electrostatic force is generated between the top actuation electrode and the bottom media electrode.

22. The information storage device of claim 21 wherein the cantilever rotates when the first potential and the second potential are applied so that the tip contacts the media.

23. The information storage device of claim 22 wherein:

the first potential and the second potential are equal; and

the first potential and the second potential are applied by a common source.

24. The information storage device of claim 23 wherein the common source is electrically connected with one of the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion and one of the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer.

25. The information storage device of claim 22 wherein the first potential is applied by a first source and the second potential is applied by a second source.

26. The information storage device of claim 23 wherein the first source is electrically connected with one of the bottom actuation electrode and the first portion and the second source is electrically connected with one of the top actuation electrode and the conductive layer.