Thermomechanical High-Density Data Storage in a Metallic Material Via the Shape-Memory Effect

By exploiting the shape‐memory effect in NiTi, it is demonstrated for the first time that a metallic material can be used for rewriteable, thermomechanical data storage. Data are written as surface indentations by a nanoscale mechanical probe, read by a transducer, and erased by heating. A data array with a storage density of 10 Gbit in.–2 (∼ 6500 nm2 bit –1) is demonstrated (see Figure) but much higher storage densities are attainable with improved film planarity.