Abstract

We have investigated the feasibility of a probe storage technique, based on the interaction of a conductive tip with a phase-change media. The electro-thermal writing process was modeled using a finite element method. The resulting current flow and temperature distribution were analysed to determine the shape of the written dots, taking into account both the crystalline and the amorphous phases as a possible initial state of the phase-change material. The simulation results suggested that the crystalline dots would have the form of a vertical filament, contrary to the amorphous dots that would be more localized at the top of the phase-change layer. One can then expect important effects on the readout process (and contrast) and the erasing mechanism, depending on the choice of the initial state.

© 2003 Optical Society of America