The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 27, 2009
Filed:
Jan. 13, 2006
Thomas Albrecht, San Jose, CA (US);
Michel Despont, Au, CH;
Urs T. Duerig, Rueschlikon, CH;
Mark Lantz, Adliswil, CH;
Hugo E. Rothuizen, Adliswil, CH;
Dorothea W. Wiesmann Rothuizen, Adliswil, CH;
Thomas Albrecht, San Jose, CA (US);
Michel Despont, Au, CH;
Urs T. Duerig, Rueschlikon, CH;
Mark Lantz, Adliswil, CH;
Hugo E. Rothuizen, Adliswil, CH;
Dorothea W. Wiesmann Rothuizen, Adliswil, CH;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A data storage device comprises a storage medium for storing data in the form of marks and at least one probe for scanning the storage medium. The storage medium may be comprised in a substrate. The probe comprises a cantilever that comprises terminals serving as electrical contacts an being during operation of the probe mechanically fixed to a probe-holding structure, which may be a common frame of the data storage device. A probe further comprises a supporting structure, to which the terminals are mechanically directly coupled or coupled via hinges and which extends away from the terminals. A tip with a nanoscale apex is provided. A beam structure comprises a heating resistor and is attached at ends to the supporting structure. The beam structure is thinned at least in a direction parallel to an axis of the tip compared to an area of the supporting structure abutting the beam structure.