JPH03290840A - Information recording and/or reproducing device and information recording carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the deterioration of a recording medium surface and a probe electrode by providing a hermetic closing means for hermetic housing of a probe and the recording medium and a recording and reproducing device body holding this means. CONSTITUTION:A hermetic frame 416 is the main constituting member of the hermetic container 415. Elastic films 417 are formed on the upper and under surfaces of the hermetic frame to constitute the hermetic part. A socket 419 for the probe fixes the probe electrode and is used commonly as a drawing out electrode from the probe electrode 406. A pin 420 for probe to be mechanically and electrically coupled and connected to the socket 419 for the probe and socket 421 for the recording medium as a substrate 410 which fixes the recording medium 408 and is used commonly as the drawing out electrode from the underlying electrode of the recording medium are provided. The recording and reproducing are executed while the probe and the recording medium 408 are kept protected from the outdoor air in this way. The adverse influence by dust is eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an improvement in a recording/reproducing device using a scanning tunneling microscope.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, a scanning tunnel microscope (hereinafter abbreviated as STM), which can directly observe the electronic structure on and near the surface of a material, has been developed.
ica Physica Acta, 55,726 (
1982)) It became possible to measure real space images with high resolution regardless of whether they were single crystal or amorphous, and it also had the advantage of being able to observe with low power without damaging the medium due to current. It is expected to have a wide range of applications because it operates not only in high vacuum, but also in the atmosphere and in solutions, and can be used for various materials.

Recently, a recording/reproducing apparatus to which this STM is applied (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 63-161552 and 63-161553) has also been developed.

These conventional recording and reproducing apparatuses use a configuration as shown in FIG.

In these devices, a voltage applying device 5 is used to apply a DC voltage sufficient to cause a tunnel current to flow to the recording medium 8, and a probe electrode (
The distance between the probe 6 and the recording medium 8 is controlled.

By applying a pulse voltage to the recording medium 8 that has a switching memory effect on the electrical characteristics at the recording position, portions with locally different electrical resistances are created at the recording position.

During reproduction, the distance between the probe 6 and the recording layer is controlled to be constant using the current amplifier 7, the servo circuit 3, and the three-dimensional drive mechanism 2 while applying a weak voltage. XY scan drive circuit 4
The three-dimensional drive mechanism 2 is used to scan the surface of the recording medium, and the probe 6 traces the surface so that the detection current is constant, and the control amount and surface in the Z-axis direction corresponding to the difference in electrical resistance caused by the recording operation are determined. Recorded information is reproduced from the position of the probe within the probe. These controls are performed by a microcomputer-1. Also, the tunnel current begins to flow at the probe electrode 6.
Since the distance between the probe electrode 6 and the recording medium 8 is approximately 1 nm, the fine movement control portion of the probe electrode 6 and the recording medium 8 requires highly accurate processing and manufacturing technology.

[Problem that the invention is trying to solve]

However, in conventional recording and reproducing devices, the surface of the recording medium and the surface of the probe electrode are exposed to the atmosphere. Therefore, in some cases, the characteristics of the recording medium surface and probe electrode change over time due to moisture, oxygen, etc. in the atmosphere, resulting in playback errors and severe deterioration of the S/N ratio, and dust in the atmosphere may damage or stain the recording medium surface. There was a risk that the particles would adhere and cause errors in recording and playback.

The present invention is an applied invention of the above-mentioned prior art, and is a recording and/or recording device that prevents deterioration of the recording medium surface and probe electrodes, maintains highly accurate and reliable functions, and is fully compatible with an advanced information society. Or for the purpose of providing playback devices and information recording carriers.

[Means to solve problems]

The present invention relates to an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on a recording medium, including a probe for recording information on the recording medium and/or reproducing information from the recording medium, and a probe for recording information on and/or reproducing information from the recording medium; It has a voltage application means for applying a voltage for recording and/or reproduction, a sealing means for sealingly accommodating at least the probe and the recording medium, and a device body holding the sealing means, the sealing means is removable from the apparatus main body, - the apparatus main body and the sealing means each have a contact electrode for electrically connecting the voltage application means and at least one of the probe and the recording medium; The contact electrodes are arranged so as to be in contact with each other when the sealing means is attached to the device body, thereby achieving the above-mentioned objective information recording and/or reproducing device.

The present invention also provides an information recording carrier on which information is to be recorded and/or reproduced by an information recording and/or reproduction apparatus,
Recording information on the recording medium and/or reproducing information from the recording medium by applying a voltage between the recording medium on which information is to be recorded and/or the information is recorded, and the recording medium. The recording medium has a sealed frame that seals the probe, the recording medium, and the probe, and the sealed frame is removable from the information recording and/or reproducing device and is applied with voltage from the information recording and/or reproducing device. The contact electrode is arranged to contact a position where a voltage is applied when the letter frame is attached to an information recording and/or reproducing device, thereby achieving the above-mentioned purpose. The information record carrier has been achieved.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 401 is a microcomputer that controls the entire device system. 402 is a three-dimensional drive mechanism consisting of a cylindrical piezoelectric element, 403 is a servo circuit, 404 is an xy scanning drive circuit 405 is a voltage application device that applies a voltage between the probe electrode and the recording medium, and 406 is a platinum wire. Probe electrode processed by electrolytic polishing method, 407 is a current amplifier, 408
is 5OAZ (squarylium-bis6-
409 is a recording medium with four layers of octyl azulene), and 50 layers of Cr are deposited by vacuum evaporation, and then A
410 is a quartz glass substrate, 411 is a coarse movement mechanism made of laminated piezoelectric elements, 412 is a coarse movement mechanism drive circuit, 413 is an xy stage, 414 is an xy stage drive circuit, Reference numeral 415 denotes a closed container constituting a closed structure, in which dried and purified nitrogen gas is sealed.

To record information on the recording medium 408, the coarse movement mechanism 41
1 to bring the recording medium 408 close to the probe electrode 406, and apply a voltage of 3.5V in height and 50n in width using the voltage application device
This method uses the fact that by applying a rectangular pulse voltage of s, the characteristics of the recording medium 408 change and a portion (corresponding to 1 bit) with low electrical resistance is generated. Three-dimensional drive mechanism 402
Probe electrode 406 using □ and xy stage 413
Recording can be performed by applying a pulse to a desired position while scanning the recording medium 408.

To perform reproduction, while applying a DC voltage of 200 mV, which is lower than the recording voltage, to the probe electrode 406 and the recording medium 408, the current detected using the current amplifier 407 and the servo circuit 403 is set to 0. The surface of the recording medium is two-dimensionally scanned in the same way as during recording while controlling the drive of the three-dimensional drive mechanism 402 in the Z direction (direction of the distance between the probe electrode 406 and the recording medium 408) in the Z direction so that the current is constant at 1 nA. The feedback amount (Z-direction drive amount) at this time corresponds to the recorded information on the recording medium, and reproduction is performed by making correspondence with the recording position. These controls are performed by microcomputer-4
Performed by 01.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the closed container 415 removed from the recording/reproducing apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. Inside this container, a probe electrode and a recording medium are arranged facing each other, and a dry and purified nitrogen gas is filled in. In order to prevent contact or collision between the probe electrode and the recording medium, a lock plate 418 and a probe electrode are scanned. A probe socket 419 is configured with a D-shaped hole that contacts the three-dimensional drive mechanism. The D-shaped hole is on the central axis of the cylindrical sealing frame 416. Next, using a diagram including a cross section of the closed container 415, setting to the apparatus will be explained.

Figures 3 and 4 show a closed container 415 of an embodiment of the ml according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows the closed container before setting, and FIG. 4 shows the state after setting. The closed frame 416 is the main component of the closed container and is made of aluminum and has a cylindrical shape. Reference numeral 417 denotes an elastic membrane made of rubber and forming a sealing portion disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the sealing frame. The probe socket 419 fixes the probe electrode and also serves as an extraction electrode from the probe electrode. 420 is a probe pin mechanically and electrically connected to a probe socket; 421 is a recording medium socket serving as a substrate 410 that fixes a recording medium and also serves as an extraction electrode from a recording medium base electrode (not shown). The ends of the elastic membrane are connected to a sealing frame 417 and a socket 419.4.
It is inserted and adhesively fixed into a recess provided in 21.

422 is a recording medium pin mechanically and electrically connected to a recording medium socket; 423 is a scanner frame that fixes three-dimensional drive machine #I402 made of a cylindrical piezoelectric element;
A probe pin is fixed at its tip, and 424 is a stage frame in which an xy stage 413 is fixed, and a coarse movement mechanism 4111 and a recording medium pin 422 are fixed on the xy stage. be. The central axis of the outer diameter portion of the secret frame 416 that constitutes the airtight container 415, the probe socket 419, and the recording medium socket 421
It is arranged and assembled so that it coincides with the central axis. The fitting portion 425 of the scanner frame 423 is connected to the closed frame 4
16, and is configured coaxially with the probe pin 420. The fitting portion 426 of the stage frame 424 is dimensioned to fit with the outer diameter portion of the sealed frame 416, and the fitting portion 426 of the stage frame 424 is dimensioned to fit with the outer diameter portion of the sealing frame 416.
It is configured coaxially with. Probe socket 419
A hole is machined on the central axis of the recording medium socket 421 as shown in FIG.
0 and the recording medium pin 422 without play.

In FIG. 3, the fitting portion 42 of the stage frame 424
When the airtight container 415 is pushed into the container 6, the recording medium socket 421 and the bottle 422 are simultaneously connected.

Next, the fitting portion 425 of the scanner ◆ frame 423 is aligned and pushed into the sealed container 415, and the probe socket 419 and the bottle 420 are coupled and connected at the same time. Lock plate 41
FIG. 4 shows a state in which 8 is moved and released by an actuator (not shown). The elastic membrane 417 does not restrict the movement of the probe electrode 406 or the recording medium 408 in any way, and the movements of the three-dimensional drive mechanism 402, coarse movement mechanism 411, and xy stage 413 directly affect the probe electrode 406 or the recording medium 4.
Conveyed to 08. Further, the probe bin 420 and the recording medium bin 422 are electrically connected to the voltage application device 405 and the current amplifier 407 via the frame by signal lines (not shown), and the probe socket 419 and the probe bin 42
0. By connecting the recording medium socket 421 and the recording medium pin, the probe electrode 406, the recording medium 408, the voltage application device 405, and the current amplification circuit 407 are electrically connected, as shown in FIG. Wiring is completed. By operating the coarse movement mechanism 411, the probe electrode 40
6 and the recording medium 408. During recording and reproduction, this distance is brought close enough to be within the control range of the three-dimensional drive mechanism 402, and then the three-dimensional drive mechanism controls the scanning in the in-plane direction of the recording medium 408 and the position control of the probe electrode 406 in the axial direction (vertical direction in the drawing). 402.

When recording and reproducing are not performed, the lock plate prevents the probe electrode from coming into contact with the recording medium again.

In this embodiment, only the probe electrode 406, the recording medium 408, etc. are housed in the sealed frame 416, and the sealed frame is detachable from the main body of the apparatus, so that when replacing the recording medium, the sealed frame can be replaced. There is no need to change the sealed state of the media for medium exchange. Further, since the probe electrode 406 and the recording medium 408 can be replaced while keeping them close to each other to some extent, it is possible to speed up the alignment of the probe electrode 406 and the recording medium 408 after the frame is inserted.

Furthermore, if the structure of this embodiment is used, the probe electrode 406
Since the parts of the recording medium 408 that require precision are unitized, they can be manufactured in a separate process from coarse movement parts, circuits, and interface parts that do not require relatively high precision, making it easier to assemble the device and improving productivity. . Furthermore, since high-precision parts can be replaced by attaching and detaching the unit, maintenance becomes easier in case of damage due to accidents or the like.

In particular, in the first embodiment, only the probe electrode and the recording medium are housed in the sealed container, and the driving means is not in the sealed space, so the structure of the sealed container is simple, easy to assemble, and downsized. It is possible to provide a highly reliable device with less possibility of dust being generated inside the container.

In this embodiment, one probe electrode is shown, but a plurality of probe electrodes may be used.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5(a) is an external view of the airtight container 515, FIG. 5(b)
is a sectional view. In FIG. 5(a), 527 is an electrode electrically connected to the probe electrode 506 in the closed container, the recording medium 50g, and the three-dimensional drive mechanism, and 530
5 is an electrode for the xy stage, 528 is a D-shaped notch for positioning when setting it in the main body of the device, and 5 is a fitting part.
19 is a socket for mechanically connecting the coarse movement mechanism, and has a square hole. In FIG. 5(b), 502 is a three-dimensional drive mechanism made of a cylindrical piezoelectric element, 506 is a probe electrode, and 560 is a three-dimensional drive mechanism 502 that connects the probe electrode 506 to the three-dimensional drive mechanism 502.
508 is a recording medium, 513 is a probe base attached to the
580 is an xy stage made of a cylindrical piezoelectric element; 580 is a medium base for attaching a recording medium to the xy stage 513;
7 is an elastic membrane made of a stainless steel diaphragm, 560
510 is a frame that fixes the outer periphery of the elastic membrane 517 and constitutes a container with the same outer diameter as the xy stage 513 and a fixing screw described later; 510 is a probe electrode 506 and a recording medium 508;
531 is a fixed screw constituting a fitting portion, and 512 is a moving screw that fixes the inner circumference of the elastic membrane 517 and the end of the three-dimensional drive mechanism 502. be. The sealed part is an area surrounded by the probe base 560, three-dimensional drive mechanism 502, moving screw 512, elastic membrane 517, frame 560, xy stage 513, and medium base 580, and is filled with dry and cleaned nitrogen gas. It is. The probe electrode 506 is brought closer to the recording medium 508 by rotating the differential screw 510.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the closed container 515 of the second embodiment of the present invention is set in the apparatus main body 30 and the probe electrode is brought close to the recording medium. Reference numeral 511 is a coarse movement mechanism using a stepping motor, which transmits rotational force to a differential screw 510 through a socket 519, and by rotating the differential screw, finely moves a moving screw 512 to bring the probe electrode 506 closer to the recording medium 508. let

Reference numeral 529 is an electrode connection part provided on the apparatus main body side and having electrode ends that are electrically connected to a voltage application device, a current amplifier, an xy scan drive circuit, a servo circuit, an xy stage drive circuit, etc. 515 is set in the apparatus main body 30, it is placed at a position where it contacts the electrode 527 and the xy stage electrode 530, respectively.

Electrode connection part 529 and electrode 527, xy stage electrode 5
30, wiring similar to that shown in FIG. , it becomes possible to send control signals to the xy stage 513.

During recording and reproduction, the coarse movement mechanism 511 moves the probe electrode 5
06 and the recording medium 508.
The three-dimensional drive mechanism 502 is used to scan the recording medium in the in-plane direction and to control the position of the probe electrode in the axial direction.

In this embodiment, one probe electrode is shown, but a plurality of probe electrodes may be used.

Similar to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment described above, only the probe electrode 506, the recording medium 508, etc. are housed in the sealed frame 515, and the sealed frame is detachable from the main body of the apparatus, so that the recording medium can be replaced easily. The entire sealed frame can be replaced at any time, and there is no need to change the sealed state inside the frame to replace the medium. Further, since the probe electrode 506 and the recording medium 508 can be replaced while keeping them close to each other to some extent, it is possible to speed up the alignment of the probe electrode 506 and the recording medium 508 after the frame is inserted.

Furthermore, if the structure of this embodiment is used, the probe electrode 506
Since the parts of the recording medium 508 that require precision are unitized, they can be manufactured in a separate process from coarse movement parts, circuits, and interface parts that do not require relatively high precision, making it easier to assemble the device and improving productivity. . Furthermore, since high-precision parts can be replaced by attaching and detaching the unit, maintenance becomes easier in case of damage due to accidents or the like.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. .

FIG. 7 is an external view of a card-type unit including a sealed structure, in which 627 is an electrode for exchanging signals with the main body of the device, and 731 is a window into which a mechanism for x-y drive of the medium is inserted.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a mechanism for driving the probe electrode in the Z-axis direction (direction perpendicular to the surface of the recording medium). 606 is a probe, 800 is a bimorph beam, and 802 is a driving wiring area. Bimorph beam 800 and probe electrode 606
was manufactured using a known method called micromechanics.

[Reference 2, E. Petersen, Pro-c.
I, EEE 70,420 (1982) and TR,
A] brecbt, et al,, 4thInter
national conference on
STM/STS (STM'89)PI-,2
, 9,5IO-2 beam 800 has a cross-sectional configuration of upper electrode (Au)/insulating film (S*z
N4) / Piezo (ZnO) / Insulating film (Sr, N4) / Middle electrode (A u ) / Absolute 18M (SjsN) / Piezo (ZnO) / Insulating film (Si, N, ) / Lower electrode (Au)
The dimensions are length 750μm 1 width 150μm 1
The thickness is 7.5 μm. The upper electrode has +(-
), by applying a voltage of opposite polarity to -(+) to the lower electrode, the tip of the bimorph beam 800, that is, the probe electrode, is displaced in the Z-axis direction, and the value is ±15V and about 5 μm. The wiring from the probe electrode 606 made of tungsten passes over the bimorph beam 800 and is led to the circuit on the wiring area 802, and is finally connected to one of the electrodes 627, respectively. In addition, the control signal of each bimorph 800 is transmitted to the electrode 6.
A circuit leading from 27 is also formed on the wiring area 802.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the positional relationship between the probe electrode and the recording medium. 801 is a base for fixing the bimorph beam 800, 616 is an airtight frame that fixes the base with adhesive and serves as the structure of the card type unit, 608 is a recording medium, and 700 is for fixing the recording medium and connecting it to the xy drive mechanism described later. It is the base.

FIG. 10 shows a state in which the card type unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention is set in the main body 630 of the device, and an xy drive mechanism 732 with a piezoelectric element in an inch-worm configuration is inserted into a window 731 using a vertical mechanism 733. It shows. The base 700 that fixes the recording medium has a surface opposite to the recording medium 608 that is connected to an xy drive mechanism 732, and
Reference numeral 31 indicates the drive of each bimorph beam 800 and the probe electrode 60.
629 is an electrode connection section that supplies signals and power from the control system in the main body of the device to the card type unit, and 770 forms a sealed structure and connects the recording medium 608. This is a gasket made of a mechanical seal that maintains a constant distance from the base 801. The sealed part is
Cleaned paraffin oil is sealed in an area surrounded by the base 801, the sealing frame 616, the packing 770, the base 700, and the recording medium 608.

The card type unit can be attached to and detached from the device main body 630 in the direction of the arrow. At the time of attachment and detachment, the vertical mechanism 733 lowers the xy drive mechanism 732 to a position that does not interfere with attachment and detachment of the card type unit. When the card type unit is inserted into the device main body 630, the electrode contact portion 629 and the electrode 627 come into contact and are electrically connected.

The wiring for the main body of the device is the xy scan drive circuit shown in Figure 1.
A servo circuit is connected to the y drive mechanism 732, and a servo circuit is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of bimorph beams 8BO, and is connected to each bimorph beam, and a voltage application device and a current amplification device are provided for each bimorph beam. Therefore, it is sufficient to consider a wiring diagram in which the coarse movement drive circuit and the xy stage drive circuit are omitted.

Such wiring is completed by contact between the electrode 627 and the electrode connection portion 629. During recording and reproduction, each bimorph beam 80
In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment, only the probe electrode 606, the recording medium 608, etc. are housed in a card-type unit. Since the card type unit is removably attached to the main body of the apparatus, the entire card type unit can be replaced when replacing the recording medium, and there is no need to change the sealed state inside the unit to replace the medium. Further, since the probe electrode 606 and the recording medium 608 can be replaced while keeping them close to each other to some extent, it is possible to speed up the alignment of the probe electrode 606 and the recording medium 608 after the frame is inserted.

Furthermore, if the structure of this embodiment is used, the probe electrode 606
Since the parts of the recording medium 608 that require precision are unitized, they can be manufactured in a separate process from coarse movement parts, circuits, and interface parts that do not require relatively high precision, making it easier to assemble the device and improving productivity. . Furthermore, since the high-precision parts can be replaced by attaching and detaching the unit, maintenance becomes easy in case of damage due to accidents or the like.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment described above, the probe electrodes, bimorph beams, etc. are manufactured using micromechanics techniques, so that they can be manufactured with high precision, and the drive circuit and the like can be assembled on the same substrate as the bimorph beam. In addition, the paraffin oil sealed in the sealed part has the effect of damping the slight movement caused by vibration of the bimorph beam 800 and ensuring stable movement.
It also serves to prevent contact between the probe electrode 606 and the recording medium 608.

Of the embodiments described above, the recording/reproducing device shown may be a device having only a recording or reproducing function.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, recording and/or playback can be performed while the probe and recording medium are protected from the outside air, and the probe and the recording medium can be stored while being protected from the outside air. Negative effects such as damage are eliminated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording and reproducing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an external view of a closed container according to the same embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the setting of the sealed container in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5(a) is an external view of the sealed container in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5(b) is a sectional view of the same, Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the setting state of the airtight container in the same embodiment, Fig. 7 is an external view of the card type unit in the third embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the probe electrode drive mechanism in the same embodiment. , FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the positional relationship between the probe electrode and the recording medium in the same embodiment, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the setting state of the card type unit in the same embodiment, and FIG. 11 is an explanation of the conventional example. It is a diagram. 401... Microcomputer 402... Three-dimensional drive mechanism 405... Voltage application device 406.506.606... Probe electrode 408.5
08.608...Recording medium 413.513...xy
Stage 415.515... Sealed container 616... Sealed frame 419.421... Necket 527.627... Electrode 5/Z@+Movement J2 Shikamo, 5 trouble 7.508 Yi@Pregnant body No. q Flash

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) An apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information on a recording medium, comprising: a probe for recording information on the recording medium and/or reproducing information from the recording medium; and a probe and the recording medium. a voltage applying means for applying a voltage for information recording and/or reproduction between the probes, a sealing means for sealingly accommodating at least the probe and the recording medium, and a recording and/or reproduction means for holding the sealing means; the device body, the sealing means being removable from the device body, and the device body and the sealing device having a contact electrode for electrically connecting the voltage application means, the probe, and the recording medium. An information recording and/or reproducing device, characterized in that the contact electrodes are arranged so as to be in contact with each other when the sealing means is attached to the main body of the device. 2) Information according to claim (1), characterized in that information is reproduced from the recording medium by detecting a tunnel current flowing between the probe and the recording medium using the voltage applied by the voltage applying means. Recording and/or playback equipment. 3) The information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a driving means for relatively moving the probe and the recording medium so that the probe scans the recording medium. . 4) The information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim (3), wherein the sealing means also seals the driving means. 5) The information recording and/or recording device according to claim 1, wherein the sealed space of the sealing means is provided with an atmosphere that prevents changes in characteristics over time of at least one of the probe and the recording medium. playback device. 6) Information recording and/or information storage according to claim (5), wherein the sealed space is kept in a high vacuum state.
Or a playback device. 7) The information recording and/or reproducing device according to claim (5), wherein the sealed space is filled with purified gas. 8) The information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim (5), wherein the sealed space is filled with dry nitrogen gas. 9) The information recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim (5), wherein the sealed space is filled with paraffin oil. 10) An information recording carrier containing a recording medium on which information is to be recorded and/or reproduced by an information recording and/or reproducing device, in which information is recorded on the recording medium by applying a voltage between the recording medium and the recording medium. and/or reproduce information from a recording medium, and a sealed frame that seals the recording medium and the probe, and the sealed frame is removably attached to an information recording and/or reproducing device, and It has a contact electrode for applying a voltage from the recording and/or reproducing device, and the contact electrode is arranged so as to come into contact with the sealed frame when it is attached to the information recording and/or reproducing device. Characteristic information record carrier. 11) Information is reproduced from the recording medium by detecting a tunnel current flowing between the probe and the recording medium when a voltage is applied between the probe and the recording medium. The information recording carrier according to item (10). 12) The information recording carrier according to claim 10, further comprising driving means for relatively moving the probe and the recording medium so that the probe scans the recording medium. 13) The information recording carrier according to claim 12, wherein the sealing frame also seals the driving means. 14) The sealed space of the sealed frame is provided with an atmosphere that prevents changes in characteristics over time of at least one of the probe and the recording medium.
0) Information recording carrier described in item 0). 15) The information recording carrier according to claim 14, wherein the sealed space is kept in a high vacuum state. 16) The information recording carrier according to claim 14, wherein the sealed space is filled with purified gas. 17) The information recording carrier according to claim 14, wherein the sealed space is filled with nitrogen gas in a dry state. 18) The information recording carrier according to claim 14, wherein the sealed space is filled with paraffin oil.