Contact probe storage sensor pod
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorRobert G. Mejia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embodiment of a read mechanism used in a contact atomic resolution storage system, has a cantilever disposed with a medium which is movable relative to the cantilever. The cantilever has a probe which extends from the cantilever and which contacts a surface of the medium. A pod is formed on a side of the cantilever facing the medium and extends toward the media. A sensor element is formed on the pod so as to juxtapose the medium.
Claims20
A read mechanism used in a contact atomic resolution storage system, comprising:
- a cantilever disposed with a medium which is movable relative to the cantilever, the cantilever having a probe which extends from the cantilever a first distance and which contacts a surface of the medium;
- a pod formed circumferentially about and spaced apart from the probe, the pod extending from a side of the cantilever facing the medium and defining a physical space between the pod and the probe along a portion of the first distance;
- and
- a sensor element formed on a distal edge of the pod opposite from the cantilever, so as to juxtapose the medium.
A read mechanism used in a contact atomic resolution storage system, comprising:
- a cantilever disposed with an electrically non-conductive medium which is movable relative to the cantilever, the cantilever having a probe which extends from the cantilever a first distance and which follows a topography of the medium;
- a sensor pod formed in proximity to and circumferentially about the probe, the pod extending toward the medium and defining at least one physical space between the pod and the probe along a portion of the first distance;
- and
- a device formed in the cantilever which responds to a change in distance between the cantilever and a substrate on which the medium is supported.
A method of making a read mechanism for a contact atomic resolution storage system comprising:
- forming a cantilever having a movable end;
- forming an annular sensor support extension pod on the cantilever proximate to the movable end, the pod having an edge rising above the surface of the movable end;
- forming a probe on the cantilever disposed within the annular pod and extending beyond the edge so as to have a predetermined spatial relationship with the pod;
- orienting the pod and the probe towards a medium which is movable relative to the probe and in which a data indicative topography is formed;
- adapting the probe to follow a data indicative topography of the medium;
- and
- forming a sensor element in a portion of the pod edge juxtaposed to the medium.
A method of using a read mechanism for a contact atomic resolution storage system comprising:
- moving a probe relative to a medium which has a data indicative topography that is followed by the probe, the probe nested within and extending beyond an upper edge of a generally concentric sensor support extension pod, the probe and the pod supported by a cantilever;
- and
- sensing a change in distance between the cantilever and the medium using a change in current flowing through a sensor element formed in the upper edge of the sensor support extension pod juxtaposed to the medium.
A read mechanism used in a contact atomic resolution storage system comprising:
- a cantilever having a movable end disposed with a medium which is movable relative to the cantilever;
- a generally annular pod proximate to the movable end and extending from a side of the cantilever facing the medium, the pod having an edge juxtaposed to the medium;
- a pod disposed within the annular pod and extending beyond the probe edge to contact a surface of the medium;
- and
- a sensor element disposed within the annular pod edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.