Data storage device and method of production therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a data storage device comprising: a data storage medium for storing data in the form of topographic features; and at least one probe for writing and/or reading the data stored in the data storage medium, wherein the data storage medium is formed on a support layer, the support layer having a lower shear modulus than the data storage medium

1 . A data storage device comprising:
 a data storage medium for storing data in the form of topographic features; and   at least one probe for writing and/or reading the data stored in the data storage medium wherein the data storage medium is formed on a support layer, the support layer having a lower shear modulus than the data storage medium.   
     
     
         2 . A data storage device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the data storage medium comprises a layer of poly-aryletherketone, PAEK. 
     
     
         3 . A data storage device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the shear modulus of the support layer is <1 GPa. 
     
     
         4 . A data storage device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a thickness of the data storage medium is at least 5 nm. 
     
     
         5 . A data storage device as claimed in  claim 1  the support layer comprises a polymer material having a glass transition temperature that is lower than room temperature. 
     
     
         6 . A data storage device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the support layer comprises a polymer material having a glass transition temperature lower then 60 degrees C. 
     
     
         7 . A data storage device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the support layer comprises a polymer material having a glass transition temperature lower than that of the data storage medium. 
     
     
         8 . A method of producing a data storage device comprising a data storage medium for storing data in the form of topographic features, the method comprising the step of: forming the data storage medium on a support layer having a lower shear modulus than the data storage medium. 
     
     
         9 . A method of producing a data storage device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein, in the step of forming the data storage medium on the support layer, surface energy-driven phase separation is used. 
     
     
         10 . A method of producing a data storage device as claimed in  claim 8  wherein, the step of forming the data storage medium on the support layer comprises the steps of:
 a) depositing the data storage medium onto at least a part of a hydrophilic surface;   b) depositing the support layer onto an exposed surface of the data storage medium deposited in step (a), thereby to obtain a modified hydrophilic surface;   c) clamping the modified hydrophilic surface produced in step (b) with a target surface thereby to obtain an assembly; and   d) transferring the support layer with the data storage medium thereon onto at least an adjacent region on the target surface by introducing a solvent ( 4 ) to an environment of the assembly obtained in step (c).