Abstract: Magnetic recording media are provided having separately textured data and read/write head landing zones. Separating these zones on the recording surface allows independent optimization of the topology to maximize both recording characteristics and mechanical durability. The landing or contact start stop zone has an average surface roughness greater than that of the data zone. Preferably, a transition zone extends between the contact start stop zone and the data zone, the transition zone varying between the two in average surface roughness. Preferably, the contact start stop zone is textured first, followed by the data zone, thereby ensuring uniform stiction performance. Texture machines for producing such zone texturing and texturing methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides magnetic recording media comprising a rigid substrate and an underlayer disposed over the substrate, in which the underlayer comprises CrTiCu or CrTiV. A magnetic layer is disposed over this underlayer, and is also disposed over a texturized surface. Generally, the substrate comprises aluminum, and an NiP layer is disposed over the substrate and below the underlayer. The texture will typically be imposed on this NiP layer. Advantageously, the CrTiCu or CrTiV underlayer has been found to compensate for texture-induced anisotropy, limiting a ratio of circumferential coercivity to radial coercivity within the range between about 0.8 and 1.25.

Abstract: A flexible, modular thin film deposition machine comprises a number of batch process stations which define a batch process path. At least one of the batch process stations is a thin film deposition station including a serial deposition chamber and an inter-chamber disk transfer mechanism. The disks move in batches along the process path, being individually processed only at the deposition station. Within the serial sputtering chambers of at least one deposition station there is at most partial environmental separation, whereas between different deposition stations the separation is complete. The resulting simplification of the transport mechanism provides for a high throughput rate while simultaneously minimizing contamination of individual thin film layers.

Abstract: The invention provides discrete track magnetic recording media and methods for their fabrication. A discrete track servo pattern is imposed on an underlayer, over which a magnetic recording layer is deposited. The pattern is preferably imposed by selective laser ablation of the underlayer. Ideally the underlayer comprises sputtered carbon, which has been found to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the subsequent magnetic layer. Optionally, a contact start/stop zone having a relatively rough surface texture is imposed, also by selective laser ablation of the underlayer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium and a thin film planar magnetic head form an assembly. The magnetic recording medium of the assembly includes a magnetic coating having a residual magnetization value (Mr) and a thickness value (t) which together form a high product value (Mr)(t) which is preferably greater than about 1.8 memu/cm.sup.2. This coating also has a high coercive field value of Hc which is preferably greater than about 2,200 Oe. The ratio formed by dividing the (Mr)(t)product value by this coercive field value Hc((Mr)(t)/Hc) is preferably approximately 0.7.times.10.sup.-3 memu/cm.sup.2 /Oe or 0.8.times.10.sup.-3 memu/cm.sup.2 /Oe. The product of the (mr)(t) product value and the coercive field value Hc ((Mr)(t)(Hc)) is preferably greater than approximately 4000 Oe.times.memu/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the deposition of an improved diamond-like carbon material, particularly for the production of magnetic recording media. The diamond-like carbon material of the present invention is highly tetrahedral, that is, it features a large number of the sp.sup.3 carbon--carbon bonds which are found within a diamond crystal lattice. The material is also amorphous, providing a combination of short-range order with long-range disorder, and can be deposited as films which are ultrasmooth and continuous at thicknesses substantially lower than known amorphous carbon coating materials. The carbon protective coatings of the present invention will often be hydrogenated. In a preferred method for depositing of these materials, capacitive coupling forms a highly uniform, selectively energized stream of ions from a dense, inductively ionized plasma.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media comprise non-metallic substrates which are coated with a seedlayer of carbon or silicon. The seedlayer improves the magnetic recording characteristics of a subsequent magnetic layer. The effect of the seedlayer is further enhanced by use of an underlayer, preferably a chromium or chrome alloy ground layer, between the seedlayer and magnetic layer.

Abstract: The invention provides discrete track magnetic recording media and methods for their fabrication. A discrete track servo pattern is imposed on an underlayer, over which a magnetic recording layer is deposited. The pattern is preferably imposed by selective laser ablation of the underlayer. Ideally the underlayer comprises sputtered carbon, which has been found to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the subsequent magnetic layer. Optionally, a contact start/stop zone having a relatively rough surface texture is imposed, also by selective laser ablation of the underlayer.

Abstract: A flexible, modular sputtering machine comprises a number of batch process stations which define a batch process path. At least one of the batch process stations is a sputtering station including a serial sputtering chamber and an interchamber disk transfer mechanism. The disks move in batches along the process path, being individually processed only at the sputtering chamber. A preferred sputtering source is also provided which allows selective sputtering of multiple materials within a single sputtering chamber. The selection of sputtering materials is controlled by varying the magnetic field within the sputtering chamber. A cassette for transporting and holding batches of disk substrates during batch processing allows individual access to the disks for the interchamber disk transfer mechanism.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a non-metallic substrate having a seedlayer thereon of carbon or silicon. The seedlayer improves the magnetic recording characteristics of a subsequent magnetic layer by smoothing out irregularities on the non-metallic substrate surface such that a surface of the seedlayer adjacent the magnetic layer is smoother than the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk composed of a substrate, a magnetic layer, and a protective/lubricative carbon layer is etched and has oxygen embedded into the surface of the disk. This carbon/oxygen surface is extremely smooth, and wears better than prior art disks not having oxygen imbedded in the surface. This altered layer enables a magnetic disk to undergo over twice the number of start/stop cycles without incurring damage from magnetic transducers used to read information from the recording than similar disks prepared without oxygen in the outer layer. A method of plasma etching is used to embed the oxygen into the surface.