The coercive field H
cof single domain particles is stress sensitive. Theory shows that stress alone leads to H
c(stress) = 3λ
sσ/I
sin a uniaxial single domain particle, if the magnetization rotates coherently. λ
sis the magnetostriction, σ the stress, and I
sthe magnetization. It is therefore possible to orient selectively the orientation of magnetic particles in an arbitrary volume element of volume L
3- at position

in a sample, since by the proper superposition of ultrasonic pulses with pulse width

a higher stress state can be generated at

than in any other section of the sample. This set of pulses will reduce H
cfrom the unstressed state to H\´
c< H
c. An applied field H with H\´
c<H <H
cwill line up dipoles parallel to

only in this volume elemet. One can "write" into the memory. Since this "line up" leads to a signal in coil surrounding the sample, one can also "read" if the dipole orientation changes in the volume L
3, since this leads to an induced voltage in the coil surrounding the sample.