Large-capacity magnetic memory using carbon nano-tube

United States Patent 7,379,326 Ushida,et al., May 27, 2008

[[Note - Is this CNT emitting? If it is Keesmann applies! It could be big!!!]]

Abstract

A high-capacity magnetic memory capable of writing and reading a magnetic record in/from a magnetic recording film according to a perpendicular magnetic recording system at a high speed in a purely-electrically random access manner. In the magnetic memory, a writing-magnetic-field generating means 62 and a writing word line 43 are disposed relative to a perpendicular magnetic recording film 50, and a reading/writing bit-line conductor 41, a magnetoresistive-effect element 20 and a reading word lead conductor 42 are laminated in order on a probe substrate opposed to the perpendicular magnetic recording film 50. A magnetic probe 30 composed of a carbon nanotube containing a soft magnetic material is disposed relative to the magnetoresistive-effect element 20 in a standing manner, and electrically connected to the reading/writing bit-line conductor. During a writing operation, a micro-discharge is generated in a micro-gap G between the edge of the magnetic probe and the magnetic recording film under a writing magnetic field to allow a writing current to flow through the micro-gap G so as to heat a micro-region of the magnetic recording film in such a manner that it goes through its Curie point to thereby become magnetized in the direction of the recording magnetic field to form a magnetic record therein. During a reading operation, the magnetic record is read out through the magnetic probe in accordance with a current variation in the magnetoresistive-effect element.

Inventors: Ushida; Takashi (Furukawa, JP), Mori; Nobuyuki (Furukawa, JP), Kamijo; Yoshimi (Furukawa, JP), Okazaki; Akihiro (Furukawa, JP), Mitsuzuka; Akira (Furukawa, JP), Hatakeyama; Rikizou (Furukawa, JP), Ido; Hideaki (Furukawa, JP), Nakajima; Ko (Furukawa, JP), Takoshima; Takehiro (Furukawa, JP)

Assignee: UMK Technologies Co., Ltd. (Furukawa-shi, JP)

The nano-magnetic probe 30 is disposed in opposed relation to the perpendicular magnetization film 50 through a micro-gap G, and the space S therebetween is sealed in a vacuum or depressurized state. If the conditions for generating a micro-discharge are satisfied, the space may be maintained under an inert atmosphere instead of the depressurized state. [[Sounds like electron emission is present!]]

http://tinyurl.com/4t5yd4

If this is as big as I think it is or could/will be, it could be worth a pretty penny to us and Keesmann. Don't ya think? Then again it might just be another disappointment - we can handle those!!!!!! We are used to it. ;-)

Refs:
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2004001851
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP1533846.html