Method and device enabling capacitive probe-based data storage readout

A method for reading data bits stored on a storage medium using a data probe structure attached to a charge amplification structure supplying an output voltage, said data probe structure comprising a plurality of switches, the method comprising:

• applying a voltage to the data probe structure sufficient to change state of a switch associated with the data probe structure;
• employing a further voltage to provide charge to the charge amplification structure;
• repeating the employing at least once to increase charge supplied to the charge amplification structure;
• and
• subsequently transmitting the output voltage from the charge amplification structure.

An apparatus for reading data bits stored on a storage medium, comprising:

• a controllable voltage source;
• a data probe structure configured to receive a first voltage from the controllable voltage source, the data probe structure comprising a switch controlled by a single control line;
• and
• a charge amplification structure configured to receive voltage from the data probe structure.

An apparatus for reading data bits stored on a storage medium, comprising:

• a voltage source;
• a data probe structure configured to receive a charging voltage from the voltage source;
• a dummy cell arrangement connected in parallel with the data probe structure and configured to also receive the charging voltage from the voltage source;
• and
• a charge amplification structure configured to receive differential charge from the data probe structure and the dummy cell arrangement;
• wherein the charge accumulated on the dummy cell arrangement is subtracted from the charge accumulated on the data probe structure thereby tending to cancel parasitic effects encountered by the data probe structure.