Probe-based data storage

Abstract

Probe-based data storage attracted many researchers from academia and industry, resulting in unprecedented high data-density demonstrations. This topical review gives a comprehensive overview of the main contributions that led to the major accomplishments in probe-based data storage. The most investigated technologies are reviewed: topographic, phase-change, magnetic, ferroelectric and atomic and molecular storage. Also, the positioning of probes and recording media, the cantilever arrays and parallel readout of the arrays of cantilevers are discussed. This overview serves two purposes. First, it provides an overview for new researchers entering the field of probe storage, as probe storage seems to be the only way to achieve data storage at atomic densities. Secondly, there is an enormous wealth of invaluable findings that can also be applied to many other fields of nanoscale research such as probe-based nanolithography, 3D nanopatterning, solid-state memory technologies and ultrafast probe microscopy. B. Current status of probe storageThe maturity of the various types of probe storage differs significantly. Four popular types, namely phase change, magnetic, thermomechanical and ferroelectric storage are listed in table I.Probe-based data storage has attracted much scientific and commercial interest [18][19][20] . After more than two decades of research on probe storage, an overview of what has been accomplished so far, together with an outlook of the a)