Surface-enhanced raman optical data storage system

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869377

Vo-Dinh, Tuan ^[1]

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1. Knoxville, TN

An improved Surface-Enhanced Raman Optical Data Storage System (SERODS) is disclosed. In the improved system, entities capable of existing in multiple reversible states are present on the storage device. Such entities result in changed Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) when localized state changes are effected in less than all of the entities. Therefore, by changing the state of entities in localized regions of a storage device, the SERS emissions in such regions will be changed. When a write-on device is controlled by a data signal, such a localized regions of changed SERS emissions will correspond to the data written on the device. The data may be read by illuminating the surface of the storage device with electromagnetic radiation of an appropriate frequency and detecting the corresponding SERS emissions. Data may be deleted by reversing the state changes of entities in regions where the data was initially written. In application, entities may be individual molecules which allows for the writing of data at the molecular level. A read/write/delete head utilizing near-field quantum techniques can provide for a write/read/delete device capable of effecting state changes in individual molecules, thus providing for the effective storage of data at the molecular level.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 5325342
• OSTI ID: 869377
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

surface-enhanced
raman
optical
data
storage
improved
serods
disclosed
entities
capable
existing
multiple
reversible
device
result
changed
scattering
sers
localized
changes
effected
changing
regions
emissions
write-on
controlled
signal
correspond
written
illuminating
surface
electromagnetic
radiation
appropriate
frequency
detecting
corresponding
deleted
reversing
initially
application
individual
molecules
allows
writing
molecular
level
write
delete
head
utilizing
near-field
quantum
techniques
provide
effecting
providing
effective
optical data
appropriate frequency
surface-enhanced raman
data storage
raman scattering
electromagnetic radiation
storage device
enhanced raman
localized region
data signal
device capable
molecular level
raman optical
data written
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