Patent ID: 8040784
Filing Date: 2011-10-18
Classification: B82Y,G01Q,G11B

Abstract:
1. A read/write tip configured in the form of a needle formed of a core of a refractory material covered at least partially with a layer of electrically conductive material, said needle having a portion for connection to an electrical generator for the application of an electrical potential to the needle, said needle being adapted to be placed in an operating position close to an electrically conductive substrate presenting a surface, said needle having an external geometrical configuration of a needle of a tunnel effect microscope, and being adapted to be connected, in a reading mode, to a detection system for obtaining an item of data relative to said surface by tunnel effect microscopy under the effect of a first electrical potential difference applied by the electrical generator between the substrate and the needle, and said needle being adapted to emit, in a writing mode, a charged particle, of a first polarity, from the layer of electrically conductive material, in the direction of the surface of the substrate under the effect of a second electrical potential difference applied by the electrical generator between the substrate and the needle, of sign opposite to that of the first potential difference, to form said surface of the substrate, said tip comprising moreover a reservoir comprising a reserve of the electrically conductive material forming said layer, said reservoir being in fluid communication with said layer, and a heat transfer device adapted, when it is activated, to liquefy the electrically conductive material contained in the reservoir to cause said electrically conductive material to flow along the tip.