Patent ID: 7826336

Claim:
A data storage device, comprising at least one nanowhisker adapted to store a charge, each said nanowhisker comprising: a sequence of axial segments of materials of different band gaps, arranged to provide a sequence of conductive islands separated by tunnel barriers; and a storage island arranged at one end of the conductive island/tunnel barrier sequence, whereby to provide a data storage capability, wherein said nanowhisker is coupled with an input contact or terminal that provides a bias voltage that changes a charge in the storage island, wherein: (a) said at least one nanowhisker is an array or matrix of said nanowhiskers, the nanowhiskers of said array or matrix are aligned parallel with respect to their axial direction and with their storage islands essentially defining a plane; (b) the conductive islands are formed of a first crystalline material, and the tunnel barriers are formed of a second crystalline material, and the band gap of the first material is smaller than the band gap of the second material; and (c) the device further comprises a scanning probe head configured to scan over the array or matrix and selectively position over a storage island of each of the nanowhiskers of the array or matrix.