Information storage apparatus
US5323375A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S977/947
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An information storage apparatus in which one unit (or one bit) of information is stored by bringing a fine tip electrode with a tip portion of a dimension on the order of an inter-atomic distance (or several angstroms) in proximity to an atom on a flat surface of a material (for example, a semiconductor) with a gap on the order of an inter-atomic distance being provided between the tip electrode and the atom, and applying a voltage to the tip electrode so that the alignment of a dimer (or a pair of atoms) on the material surface in the vicinity of the tip electrode is changed by virtue of a tunnelling effect which is a quantum mechanical effect.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.