A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device is presented that can
read very high density magnetic media and very high density CD ROMs. Both
the magnetic and optical read heads comprise one or more cold cathode
MEMS e-beam cells. The e-beams are deflected according to the data bit
being interrogated and the state of that bit is determined by a detector.
Large arrays of such cells can simultaneously read large areas of the
memory media. Arrays of such MEMs detectors can comprise a plurality of
"steerable" e-beam emitters that can be directed to interrogate specific
data sites on the magnetic media. Thus, in some cases, the media can
remain stationary. Densities of 200 gigabits per square inch or more and
read speeds greater than 1000 times faster can be achieved.