A method of detecting the positions of a plurality of probes. An input beam is directed into an optical device and transformed into a plurality of output beamlets which are not parallel with each other. Each output beamlet is split into a sensing beamlet and an associated reference beamlet. Each of the sensing beamlets is directed onto an associated one of the probes with an objective lens to generate a reflected beamlet which is combined with its associated reference beamlet to generate an interferogram. Each interferogram is measured to determine the position of an associated one of the probes. A similar method is used to actuate a plurality of probes. A scanning motion is generated between the probes and the sample. An input beam is directed into an optical device and transformed into a plurality of actuation beamlets which are not parallel with each other.

A method of detecting the positions of a plurality of probes. An input beam is directed into an optical device and transformed into a plurality of output beamlets which are not parallel with each other. Each output beamlet is split into a sensing beamlet and an associated reference beamlet. Each of the sensing beamlets is directed onto an associated one of the probes with an objective lens to generate a reflected beamlet which is combined with its associated reference beamlet to generate an interferogram. Each interferogram is measured to determine the position of an associated one of the probes. A similar method is used to actuate a plurality of probes. A scanning motion is generated between the probes and the sample. An input beam is directed into an optical device and transformed into a plurality of actuation beamlets which are not parallel with each other.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium comprising a substrate, a platinum layer formed on the substrate and having a (111) plane preferentially oriented, and a fullerene single crystal thin film formed on the platinum layer, and configured to be a recording layer, wherein an average value of average surface roughness Ra's with respect to four or more visual fields measured by using an atomic force microscope in a surface of the fullerene thin film is 0.5 nm or less.

A device includes an upper metallic layer, a lower layer, and a memory array positioned between the upper and lower layers, wherein the memory electrical characteristic changes when storing data.

A device includes an upper metallic layer, a lower layer, and a memory array positioned between the upper and lower layers, wherein the memory electrical characteristic changes when storing data.

A device includes an upper metallic layer, a lower layer, and a nano sensor array positioned between the upper and lower layers to detect a presence of a gas, a chemical, or a biological object, wherein each sensor's electrical characteristic changes when encountering the gas, chemical or biological object.

A device includes an upper metallic layer, a lower layer, and a nano sensor array positioned between the upper and lower layers to detect a presence of a gas, a chemical, or a biological object, wherein each sensor's electrical characteristic changes when encountering the gas, chemical or biological object.

The present invention is in the field of an atomic scale data storage device which uses vacancy manipulation, a method of providing said device, and a method of operating said device. Prior art mass data storage devices typically rely on magnetic materials forming discrete arrays or on nanoscale transistors. Further examples are e.g. optical systems such as a DVD and a compact disk. These devices and systems have a large, but for some applications still limited, storage capacity.

The present invention is in the field of an atomic scale data storage device which uses vacancy manipulation, a method of providing said device, and a method of operating said device. Prior art mass data storage devices typically rely on magnetic materials forming discrete arrays or on nanoscale transistors. Further examples are e.g. optical systems such as a DVD and a compact disk. These devices and systems have a large, but for some applications still limited, storage capacity.

A pattern is pre-written using a pre-erase or pre-conditioning magnetic field applied within at least part of a target track of a hard disk via a first write transducer prior to the target track being written. Subsequent to the pre-writing, target user data is written to the part of the target track.