Ultrahigh density data storage from local polymerization by a scanning tunneling microscope

Ultrahigh density data storage from local polymerization on an organic thin film is demonstrated by using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) operating in air. An organic monomer material, which may become electrical conductive by polymerization, is selected as data storage material. Films prepared by the monomer material are used for data recording. By applying a high electric field with the STM tip to realize local polymerization, highly stable recorded patterns with molecule-sized recorded marks have been performed. One recorded mark corresponds to a polymeric molecule in the film. The marks are 0.8 nm in size. The nearest distance between two recorded marks is 1.2 nm. Having been read 2000 times the recorded patterns show no discernible change. (C) 1998 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(98)04148-5].