Nanometer scale data storage device and associated positioning system

A data storage device for use with a deformable storage medium having stored data in the form of one or more indentations mechanically impressed thereon, the data storage device comprising:

• a plurality of heat probes for supplying heat to the deformable storage medium;
• a probe positioning apparatus to position the plurality of heat probes with respect to the storage medium;
• and
• a controller configured to (A) during an erase mode, control the probe positioning apparatus in positioning a given one of the heat probes proximate a first of the one or more indentations, and (B) during the erase mode, cause the given one of the heat probes to heat the storage medium to or near its melting point so that the first indentation in the storage medium is removed and the data is erased.

A data storage device comprising:

• a deformable storage medium;
• a plurality of probes each comprising:
• a tip comprising a conductive highly obdurate coating capable of deforming the storage medium, and
• a tip positioning apparatus to lower the tip;
• a plurality of heat probes for supplying heat to the deformable medium;
• and
• a probe and storage medium positioning apparatus to position the probes over the storage medium;
• and
• a controller to (A) during a write mode, control the probe and storage medium positioning apparatus in positioning the probes over the storage medium, (B) during the write mode, control each tip positioning apparatus in lowering the corresponding tip a predetermined amount into the storage medium so as to cause a predetermined amount of mechanical deformation in the storage medium representing data written thereto, (C) during read mode, control the probe and storage medium positioning apparatus in positioning the probes over the storage medium, (D) during the read mode, control each tip positioning apparatus in lowering the corresponding tip close to the storage medium, and (L) during the read mode, produce and measure a tunneling current between the conductive obdurate coating of each tip and the storage medium to identify a predetermined amount of deformation caused in the storage medium below the corresponding tip during the write mode so that the data written thereto is read therefrom, and (F) during an erase mode, control the positioning apparatus in positioning a given one of the heat probes proximate a first of the one or more indentations, and (G) during the erase mode, cause the given one of the heat probes to heat the storage medium to or near its melting point so that the first indentation in the storage medium is removed and the data is erased.