Information holding device

A memory for carrying information comprising a multilayer film comprising a plurality of monomolecular layers in which each layer is capable of carrying a charge;

• means for introducing charges into one side of the film in a time sequence which corresponds to the information to be carried;
• means for applying a voltage between the faces of the film to cause the charge carried by any layer to be transferred to the adjacent layer;
• and means for reading out the sequence of charges carried by the film;
• wherein the charge introducing means comprising electrodes adjacent opposite faces of the film and adapted to be connected to a voltage source for applying across the film voltage pulses to create fields of an amplitude greater than that required to cause tunnelling without thermal activation between the layers of the film and at least equal to that required to cause electrons to tunnel without thermal activation from one of the electrodes to the film layer adjacent thereto.