Probe-based data storage

TL;DR

This review comprehensively covers advances in probe-based data storage technologies, highlighting high-density data storage methods, key technological components, and potential applications in nanoscale research.

Contribution

It provides a detailed overview of major developments in probe-based data storage, including various storage mechanisms and system components, serving as a resource for new researchers and related fields.

Findings

High data densities achieved with probe storage

Multiple storage mechanisms reviewed: topographic, phase-change, magnetic, ferroelectric, atomic

Potential applications extend to nanolithography and ultrafast microscopy

Abstract

Probe-based data storage attracted many researchers from academia and industry, resulting in unprecendeted 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.