Information storage medium using nanocrystal particles, method of manufacturing the information storage medium, and information storage apparatus including the information storage medium

A method of manufacturing an information storage medium comprising:

• forming a conductive layer on a surface of a substrate;
• forming a first insulating layer on the conductive layer;
• forming a nanocrystal layer having conductive nanocrystal particles on the first insulating layer;
• and
• forming a second insulating layer on the nanocrystal layer,
• wherein the conductive nanocrystal particles are formed such that electrons that tunnel through the second insulating layer are trapped in the conductive nanocrystal particles and information is thereby recorded.

An information storage apparatus comprising:

• an information storage medium;
• and
• an information write/read head that moves above a surface of the information storage medium to record information in the information storage medium or to read information from the information storage medium,
• wherein the information storage medium comprises:
• a conductive layer;
• a first insulating layer formed on a surface of the conductive layer;
• a nanocrystal layer that is formed on the first insulating layer and comprises conductive nanocrystal particles;
• and
• a second insulating layer formed on the nanocrystal layer,
• wherein the conductive nanocrystal particles are configured to trap electrons emitted from the write/read head that tunnel through the second insulating layer and thereby record information.