High density recording by a conductive probe contact with phase change recording layer

An information recording and reproducing device comprising:

• an inorganic recording medium comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a phase chance material, a shape changing material and a magnetic material, and a conductive probe being proximate to or contacting a recording surface of said recording medium and movable relative to said recording medium, wherein information is recorded by heating said recording medium in the area where said conductive probe is proximate or contacting to change a physical state therein and wherein the area of said recording medium where said conductive probe is proximate or contacting is heated by a voltage applying means for applying voltage between said conductive probe and said recording medium.

An information recording and reproducing device comprising:

• an inorganic recording medium comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a phase change material, a shape chancing material and a magnetic material, and a conductive probe being proximate to or contacting a recording surface of said recording medium and movable relative to said recording medium, wherein information is recorded by heating said recording medium in the area where said conductive probe is proximate or contacting to change a physical state therein;
• wherein the state change of said recording medium comprised of said magnetic material is a change in magnetization direction.

An information recording and reproducing device comprising:

• an inorganic recording medium comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a phase change material, a shape changing material and a magnetic material, and a conductive probe being proximate to or contacting a recording surface of said recording medium and movable relative to said recording medium, wherein information is recorded by heating said recording medium in the area where said conductive probe is proximate or contacting to change a physical state therein and further comprising a cantilever having a fixed end and a free end, said conductive probe is located at said free end of said cantilever.

An information recording and reproducing method comprising:

• (a) locating a conductive probe proximate to or contacting an inorganic recording medium comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a phase changing material, a shape changing material and a magnetic material, and
• (b) heating a certain area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is proximate or contacting to record information on said recording medium by changing a physical state of the area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is proximate or contacting, and
• (c) heating the area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is contacting by applying voltage between said conductive probe and said recording medium.

An information recording and reproducing method comprising:

• (a) locating a conductive probe proximate to or contacting an inorganic recording medium comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a phase changing material, a shape changing material and a magnetic material, and
• (b) heating a certain area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is proximate or contacting to record information on said recording medium by changing a physical state of the area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is proximate or contacting, and
• (c) heating the area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is proximate or contacting by irradiating a light thereto.

An information recording and reproducing method comprising:

• (a) locating a conductive probe proximate to or contacting an inorganic recording medium comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a phase changing material, a shape changing material and a magnetic material, and
• (b) heating a certain area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is proximate or contacting to record information on said recording medium by changing a physical state of the area of said recording medium to which said conductive probe is proximate or contacting, and
• (c) changing the state of said magnetic material by changing a magnetization direction.