Nanometer scale data storage device and associated positioning system

A data storage device comprising:

• a deformable storage medium;
• one or more write probes each comprising:
• a write tip comprising a highly obdurate coating capable of deforming the storage medium;
• a write tip positioning apparatus to position the write tip with respect to the storage medium;
• one or more read probes each including a conductive read tip;
• a probe and storage medium positioning apparatus to position the read and write probes with respect to each other;
• a controller to (A) during a write mode, control the probe and storage medium positioning apparatus in positioning the write probes over the storage medium, (B) during the write mode, control each write tip positioning apparatus in lowering the corresponding write tip a predetermined amount into the storage medium so as to cause a predetermined amount of deformation in the storage medium representing data written thereto, (C) during a read mode, control the probe and storage medium positioning apparatus in positioning the read probes over the storage medium, and (D) during the read mode, produce and measure a tunneling current between each conductive read tip and the storage medium to identify a predetermined amount of deformation caused in the storage medium below the corresponding read tip during the write mode so that the data written thereto is read therefrom.

A data storage device comprising:

• a storage medium alterable by light;
• one or more light emitting write probes capable of emitting light;
• one or more read probes capable of detecting alterations of the storage medium;
• a positioning apparatus to position the read and write probes over the storage medium;
• a controller to (A) during a write mode, control the positioning apparatus in positioning the write probes over the storage medium so that the light emitting write tips are over the storage medium, (B) during the write mode, control each light emitting write probe to emit a predetermined amount of light so as to cause a predetermined amount of alteration of the storage medium and write data thereto, (C) during read modes, control the positioning apparatus in positioning the read probes over the storage medium so that each read probe detects a predetermined amount of alteration of the storage medium caused during the write mode, and (D) during the read mode, measure each detected predetermined amount of alteration of the storage medium so that the data written to the storage medium during the write mode is read therefrom.

A biochemical instrument comprising:

• a probe comprising:
• a porous tip;
• a tip positioning apparatus to position the tip with respect to a sample material;
• a tip and sample positioning apparatus to position the probe and sample material with respect to each other;
• a controller to (A) control the positioning apparatus in positioning the probe over the sample, (B) control the tip positioning apparatus in lowering the tip into the sample material to produce a biochemical interaction between the porous tip and the sample material.