Patent ID: 7394749

Claim:
Apparatus for writing data to and/or reading data from locations on a surface via a tip, the apparatus comprising: a first transducer subsystem for moving the tip between the locations on the surface; a second transducer subsystem for selectively applying energy to the surface via the tip at each location, wherein the second transducer subsystem comprises a heating element; and a third transducer subsystem for selectively forcing the tip and the surface together in synchronization with the application of energy by the second transducer subsystem, wherein the application of energy to the surface via the tip is offset in time relative to the selective forcing of the tip and the surface together, wherein in a write operation, a write voltage pulse is offset in time relative to a period of contact between the tip and the surface such that the write voltage pulse is applied across the heating element prior to the period of contact, continues to be applied during the period of contact and is removed prior to disengagement of the tip from the surface.