Maintaining interatomic distance between an STM probe and a recording layer

摘要

An information recording system includes a recording medium, and a probe electrode provided at a location opposed to the recording surface of the recording medium. The probe electrode is capable of recording on the recording medium by application of a voltage between the probe electrode and the recording medium. An elastic member supports the probe electrode for motion relative to a base member arranged perpendicular to the recording surface. The distance between the recording surface and the probe electrode is adjustable by a mechanism provided for that purpose. The displacement of the probe electrode caused by an interatomic force acting between the recording medium and the probe electrode is detected, and a displacement signal based on the detected displacement is output. A control circuit feeds back the displacement signal so that the probe electrode can move back to its original position.