US5220555A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning tunnel-current-detecting device and method for detecting tunnel current and scanning tunnelling microscope and recording/reproducing device using thereof
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1991-10-29
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Granted: 1993-06-15
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Expires: 2011-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A scanning tunnel-current-detecting device comprising at least two probe electrodes supported by a supporting member, a means for placing a sample in proximity to the probe electrodes, a means for applying voltage between the probe electrodes and the sample, at least one of the probe electrodes being provided with a mechanism for measuring and compensating variation of the distance between the supporting member and the sample, is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshihiro Yanagisawa
- 👤 Kunihiro Sakai
- 👤 Hisaaki Kawade
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01Q; G01Q60/00; G01Q60/10; G01Q60/16; G01Q70/00; G01Q70/02; G01Q70/04; G01Q70/06; G11; G11B; G11B9/00; G11B9/12; G11B9/14; G11B9/1418; G11B9/1427; G11B9/1436; G11B9/1445; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/70; Y10S977/832; Y10S977/837; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/861; Y10S977/88; Y10S977/881; Y10S977/902; Y10S977/932; Y10S977/943; Y10S977/947
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for recording an information into a recording medium by means of a probe electrode in proximity to the recording medium, comprising using a first probe electrode and a second probe electrode, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and recording an information into said recording medium by means of said first probe electrode, while compensating deviation of a distance between said first probe electrode and said recording medium by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant a current flowing between said second probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for recording an information into a recording medium by means of a probe electrode in proximity to the recording medium, comprising using a first probe electrode and a second probe electrode, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and recording an information into said recording medium by means of said first probe electrode, while compensating deviation of a distance between said first probe electrode and said recording medium by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant a current flowing between said second probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 1, wherein said first probe electrode is connected with said supporting member through driving means for driving said first probe electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 2, wherein said driving means is a piezo element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 1, wherein said second probe electrode is kept at a specified position above said recording medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 1, wherein said recording medium has a recording layer on the surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 1, wherein said recording is carried out by applying a pulse voltage exceeding a threshold voltage for changing an electric resistance of said recording medium, from said first probe electrode to said recording medium.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for reproducing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium comprising using a first probe electrode and a second probe electrode, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and reproducing said information from said recording medium by means of said first probe electrode, while compensating deviation of a distance between said first probe electrode and said recording medium by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant a current flowing between said second probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for reproducing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium comprising using a first probe electrode and a second probe electrode, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and reproducing said information from said recording medium by means of said first probe electrode, while compensating deviation of a distance between said first probe electrode and said recording medium by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant a current flowing between said second probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 7, wherein said first probe electrode is connected with said supporting member through driving means for driving said first probe electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 8, wherein said driving means is a piezo element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 7, wherein said second probe electrode is kept at a specified position above said recording medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 7, wherein said recording medium has a recording layer on the surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 7, wherein said reproducing is carried out by detecting a current flowing between said first probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for erasing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium comprising using a first probe electrode and a second probe electrode, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and erasing said recorded information by means of said first probe electrode, while compensating deviation of a distance between said first probe electrode and said recording medium by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant a current flowing between said second probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for erasing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium comprising using a first probe electrode and a second probe electrode, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and erasing said recorded information by means of said first probe electrode, while compensating deviation of a distance between said first probe electrode and said recording medium by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant a current flowing between said second probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for erasing a recorded information according to claim 13, wherein said first probe electrode is connected with said supporting member through driving means for driving said first probe electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method for erasing a recorded information according to claim 14, wherein said driving means is a piezo element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for erasing a recorded information according to claim 13, wherein said second probe electrode is kept at a specified position above said recording medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method for erasing a recorded information according to claim 13, wherein said recording medium has a recording layer on the surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method for erasing a recorded information according to claim 13, wherein said erasing of a recorded information is carried out by applying a pulse voltage exceeding a threshold voltage for changing an electric resistance of said recording medium, from said first probe electrode to said recording medium.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for recording an information into a recording medium by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising using at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and recording an information into said recording medium by means of the fourth probe electrode, while adjusting a distance between a surface of said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep nearly constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for recording an information into a recording medium by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising using at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and recording an information into said recording medium by means of the fourth probe electrode, while adjusting a distance between a surface of said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep nearly constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 19, wherein said recording medium surface and said supporting member are kept horizontal, by adjusting a distance between said recording medium surface and said supporting member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 19, wherein said fourth probe electrode is connected with said supporting member through a driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 21, wherein said driving means is a piezo element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 19, wherein said first to third probe electrodes are kept at specified positions above said recording medium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 19, wherein said recording medium has a recording layer on the surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for recording an information according to claim 19, wherein said recording of an information is carried out by applying a pulse voltage exceeding a threshold voltage for changing an electric resistance of said recording medium, from said fourth probe electrode to said recording medium.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for reproducing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising using at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and reproducing said information in said recording medium by means of the fourth probe electrode, while adjusting a distance between a surface of said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for reproducing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising using at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and reproducing said information in said recording medium by means of the fourth probe electrode, while adjusting a distance between a surface of said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 26, wherein said recording medium and said supporting member are kept horizontal, by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 26, wherein said fourth probe electrode is connected with said supporting member through a driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 28, wherein said driving means is a piezo element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 26, wherein said first to third probe electrodes are kept at specified positions above said recording medium.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 26, wherein said recording medium has a recording layer on the surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method for reproducing an information according to claim 26, wherein said reproducing an information is carried out by detecting a current flowing between said fourth probe electrode and said recording medium.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for erasing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising using at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and erasing said information in said recording medium by means of the fourth probe electrode, while adjusting a distance between a surface of said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for erasing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising using at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and erasing said information in said recording medium by means of the fourth probe electrode, while adjusting a distance between a surface of said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method for erasing an information according to claim 33, wherein said recording medium and said supporting member are kept horizontal, by adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for erasing an information according to claim 33, wherein said fourth probe electrode is connected with said supporting member through a driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method for erasing an information according to claim 35, wherein said driving means is a piezo element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for erasing an information according to claim 33, wherein said first to third probe electrodes are kept at specified positions above said recording medium.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for erasing an information according to claim 33, wherein said recording medium has a recording layer on the surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for erasing an information according to claim 33, wherein said erasing of an information is carried out by applying a pulse voltage exceeding a threshold voltage for changing an electric resistance of said recording medium, from said fourth electrode to said recording medium.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
94 words
An information detecting device for detecting an information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a sample surface, comprising at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and provided with a means for adjusting a distance between said sample surface and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said sample surface, respectively, and keeping said sample surface and said supporting member horizontal, and a driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
94 words
An information detecting device for detecting an information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a sample surface, comprising at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and provided with a means for adjusting a distance between said sample surface and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said sample surface, respectively, and keeping said sample surface and said supporting member horizontal, and a driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
105 words
A recording/reproducing device for recording an information into a recording medium and/or for reproducing or erasing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and provided with a means for adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively, and keeping said recording medium and a supporting member horizontal, and a driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
105 words
A recording/reproducing device for recording an information into a recording medium and/or for reproducing or erasing a recorded information by means of a probe electrode in proximity to a recording medium, comprising at least four probe electrodes, which can be driven independently, supported by a supporting member, and provided with a means for adjusting a distance between said recording medium and said supporting member so as to keep substantially constant each current flowing between said first to third probe electrodes and said recording medium, respectively, and keeping said recording medium and a supporting member horizontal, and a driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
The recording/reproducing device according to claim 41, wherein said fourth probe electrode is connected with said supporting member through said driving means for driving said fourth probe electrode.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
The recording/reproducing device according to claim 41, wherein said driving means is a piezo element.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
23 words
The recording/reproducing device according to claim 41, wherein said first to third probe electrodes are kept at specified positions above said recording medium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-06-14 | 1996-12-14 | 1997-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-14 | 2000-12-14 | 2001-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-14 | 2004-12-14 | 2005-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |