Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic media includes a substrate, a patterned template, a seed layer and a magnetic layer. The patterned template is formed on the substrate and includes a plurality of growth sites that are evenly spaced apart from each other. The seed layer is formed over the patterned template and the exposed areas of the substrate. Magnetic material is sputter deposited onto the seed layer with one grain of the magnetic material nucleated over each of the growth sites. The grain size distribution of the magnetic material is reduced by controlling the locations of the growth sites which optimizes the performance of the perpendicular magnetic media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of imprint lithography wherein the method includes depositing a material on a patterned surface of a conductive substrate, and pressing a transparent substrate and the conductive substrate together, wherein the pressing causes the material to conform to the patterned surface. Energy is applied to the material to form patterned material from the material. The transparent substrate and the conductive substrate are separated, wherein the patterned material adheres to the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A method includes: providing a substrate having a plurality of chemically contrasted alignment features, and depositing a self-assembled material on at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the position and/or orientation of substantially spherical or cylindrical domains of the self-assembled material is directed by the alignment features, to form a nanostructure pattern, and wherein the period of the alignment features is between about 2 times and about 10 times the period of the spherical or cylindrical domains. An apparatus fabricated according to the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes: providing a substrate having a patterned surface, depositing a first-level self-assembled material on at least a portion of the patterned surface, wherein the position and/or orientation of the first-level self-assembled material is directed by the patterned surface, to form a first nanostructure pattern, and depositing a second-level self-assembled material on at least a portion of the first nanostructure pattern to form an array of nanostructures of the second-level self-assembled material. An apparatus fabricated using the method is also provided.

Abstract: A process for making an optical transducer that includes depositing a lower molecular weight first layer and a higher molecular weight second layer. E-beam radiation is applied to the first and second layers which are developed to form an aperture. The aperture includes a resist protrusion in the second layer. The resist protrusion protrudes outward beyond the first layer. Metal is evaporated through the aperture to form the optical transducer. The resist protrusion defines a shape of a concave metal transducer corner.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a device includes: providing a substrate having a patterned surface, depositing a first-level self-assembled material on at least a portion of the patterned surface, wherein the position and/or orientation of the first-level self-assembled material is directed by the patterned surface, to form a first nanostructure pattern, and depositing a second-level self-assembled material on at least a portion of the first nanostructure pattern to form an array of nanostructures of the second-level self-assembled material. An apparatus fabricated using the method is also provided.

Abstract: The formation of a device using block copolymer lithography is provided. The formation of the device includes forming a block copolymer structure. The block copolymer structure includes a first polymer and a second polymer. The block copolymer structure also includes a first component deposited between adjacent blocks of the first polymer and a second component deposited between adjacent blocks of the second polymer. A template is developed by removing either the first and second polymers or the first and second components from the block copolymer structure. The formation of the device also includes lithographically patterning the device utilizing the block copolymer structure template. The device may be a data storage medium.

Abstract: A method for forming a magnetic write pole with a trapezoidal cross-section is described. The method consists of first forming a magnetic seedlayer on a base followed by depositing a removable material layer on the seedlayer, and then a resist layer on the removable material layer. A trench is then formed in the resist, and the resist is heated to cause the cross-sectional profile of the trench to assume a trapezoidal shape. The resist is then capped with another resist layer and further heated to cause the width of the trapezoidal trench to become narrower. The cap layer and removable material layer at the bottom of the trench are then removed and the trench filled with magnetic material by electroplating. The resist and seedlayer external to the trench are finally removed to form a write pole with a trapezoidal cross-section.

Abstract: A lithography process for manufacturing bit-island storage mediums that results in improved resolution and uniformity between bit-islands. The lithography process includes applying a resist coating polymer to a surface of a substrate. Selected areas of the resist coating polymer are then exposed to an energy source, wherein each selected area is exposed to the energy source multiple times to provide a time-averaged exposure of the selected areas that reduces errors caused by noise associated with the energy source. After exposure of the resist coating to the energy source, a selective developer solution is applied to the resist coating to develop the fully exposed regions of the resist coating while leaving undeveloped the partially exposed regions of the resist coating. A polymer reflow material is applied to the developed resist pattern and heated to a selected temperature.