Patent ID: 7042828

Claim:
A data storage device comprising: a deformable storage medium; one or more write probes each comprising: a write tip comprising a highly obdurate coating capable of deforming the storage medium; a write tip positioning apparatus to position the write tip with respect to the storage medium; one or more read probes each including a conductive read tip; a probe and storage medium positioning apparatus to position the read and write probes with respect to each other; a controller to (A) during a write mode, control the probe and storage medium positioning apparatus in positioning the write probes over the storage medium, (B) during the write mode, control each write tip positioning apparatus in lowering the corresponding write tip a predetermined amount into the storage medium so as to cause a predetermined amount of deformation in the storage medium representing data written thereto, (C) during a read mode, control the probe and storage medium positioning apparatus in positioning the read probes over the storage medium, and (D) during the read mode, produce and measure a tunneling current between each conductive read tip and the storage medium to identify a predetermined amount of deformation caused in the storage medium below the corresponding read tip during the write mode so that the data written thereto is read therefrom.