Abstract: A magnetic media is described including a substrate, an unbalanced soft under layer (SUL), a magnetic seed layer, which may consist of one or more of NiWxCoy, NiWxCoyAlz, NiVaCob, NiVaCobAlc, NiWxVaCob, and NiWxVaFeb, and a magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defect source detection in HDD are provided. The system may include one or more disk processing stations, a disk, a disk defector detector, and a disk defect source detector. This system may be provided in a disk manufacturing environment. The disk defect source detector may be configured to identify a processing station as a source of disk defects by overlaying a disk defect image with a station defect pattern image.

Abstract: Segregants for magnetic recording layers and materials for intermediate layers underlying the magnetic recording layers are provided for improved heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) media. One such HAMR medium includes a substrate, a heat sink layer on the substrate, an underlayer on the heat sink layer, an intermediate layer of TiON, VON, CrON, TiOC, VOC, TiONC, and/or combinations thereof, on the underlayer, and a magnetic recording layer of FePt on the intermediate layer. The magnetic recording layer further includes three sublayers, each having a different segregant. The segregant of the first magnetic recording sublayer on the intermediate layer includes AgBN, AgCN, AgBNC, AgB2O3, AgMoO3, AgV2O5, B2O3, MoO3, V2O5, and/or combinations thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of an assembly configured to grip a substrate includes a gripper including a first finger and a second finger, a first chuck body snap-fit to the first finger, and a second chuck body snap-fit to the second finger.

Abstract: FePt-based perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media including an epitaxial exchanged coupling layer (EECL) between FePtX magnetic recording layers. The degree of exchange coupling may be modulated by the EECL while the texture is transferred between the magnetic recording layers. With an EECL of proper composition and thickness, the FePt-based composite media has high anisotropy field and low saturation magnetic field.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing in situ testing of a load cell disposed within a disk burnishing machine are provided. One such system includes a load cell bracket attached to a component of the disk burnishing machine, where the load cell is mounted within the load cell bracket and has a force measuring surface. The load cell bracket can be oriented such that the force measuring surface faces a direction that is about opposite to a direction of gravity. The system can further include a preselected weight and a weight holder configured to receive the preselected weight, to be mounted to the load cell bracket, and to be aligned with the load cell. The preselected weight can be positioned within the weight holder and on the force measuring surface of the load cell. The load cell can then be tested, calibrated, and/or replaced if necessary.

Abstract: Methods of operating a recording media press system are described. The method may include clamping, with a plurality of first tabs, an outer perimeter portion of a first embossing foil to a first die of a die press and clamping with a plurality of second tabs, an outer perimeter portion of a second embossing foil to a second die of the press. The method may also include receiving a magnetic recording disk in the die press, interleaving the plurality of first tabs with the plurality of second tabs to close the die press around the magnetic recording disk, and pressing the first and second embossing foils against the recording media disk to emboss a front and backside of the recording disk with a discrete track recording pattern.

Abstract: Recording media press systems and methods of operating such press systems. Embodiments of a press system include a first and second die at least one of which is configured to be coupled to an embossing foil. A stopper may be used to space the embossing foil apart from a magnetic recording disk disposed within the press system by a predetermined gap when the die set is in a closed position. In an embodiment, a piston disposed within at least one of the first and second die is moved relative to the first and second die to press the embossing foil against the magnetic recording disk after the die set stopped in the closed position by the stopper.

Abstract: A disk handling apparatus for supporting a disk during material deposition at a deposition station, comprising a disk vacuum paddle having a centrally disposed groove, and a vacuum source disposed within the groove, wherein the paddle contacts the disk only at disk corners on opposing major surfaces of the disk, and wherein the disk remains spaced from the groove at its outer diameter during material deposition.

Abstract: A sonication cleaning system is provided. The sonication cleaning system includes a cleaning tank configured to contain a liquid and a flow control system configured to cause a gradient cross flow of the liquid through the cleaning tank. The system further includes a sonication generator configured to agitate the liquid in the cleaning tank and a controller configured to vary a power applied to the sonication generator to agitate the liquid in the cleaning tank based on an oscillation position of a workpiece within the cleaning tank.

Abstract: A disk buffing apparatus includes a spindle for rotating an annular disk, and a first pad arm for loading a first abrasive tape against a first surface of the annular disk. The first pad arm includes a pad arm frame having a pad receptacle and a first pad. The first pad has a first damping layer in contact with the first pad arm within the pad receptacle, and a first tape loading layer for contacting the first abrasive tape. The first damping layer comprises a first polymeric material and the first tape loading layer comprises a second polymeric material. The first polymeric material has a lesser hardness than the second polymeric material.

Abstract: A recording medium having an outer surface relatively free of magnetic particulates is achievable by, after forming a magnetic recording layer with which magnetic contamination is associated, removing magnetic contamination from the medium by immersing the medium in an acidic water solution. For example, a post-sputter wash process utilizing a mildly acidic water solution having a pH less than around 5 may remove cobalt particle contaminants from the surface of the medium. The water solution may be acidized by introducing into deionized water a pre-diluted strong acid such as nitric acid or a weak acid such as carbonic acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a PMR media for use in a HDD. The PMR media has an amorphous ferri-magnetic material layer disposed within the capping structure. The amorphous ferri-magnetic material layer reduces the noise. The amorphous ferri-magnetic material layer may be disposed between capping layer or on top of the capping layers. Additionally, the amorphous ferri-magnetic material layer may contain Tb.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming magnetic recording media with improved columnar growth for energy assisted magnetic recording are provided. In one such method, a first sub-layer of a magnetic layer is formed on a substrate, the magnetic layer including a magnetic material and a plurality of non-magnetic segregants, a top surface of the first sub-layer is etched to substantially remove the non-magnetic segregants accumulated on the top surface, and a second sub-layer of the magnetic layer is formed on the first sub-layer.

Abstract: A mandrel for transporting a set of substrates includes a rod having a free end and a fixed end, the fixed end configured to be coupled to a transport mechanism. A series of spacer elements are arranged on the rod to keep the set of substrates seated on the rod in respective fixed positions with a last spacer element nearest to the fixed end. A notch is arranged on the rod between the fixed end and the last spacer element configured to catch a substrate that becomes unseated from the last spacer element.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) medium having improved signal-to-noise ratio capabilities includes a high-temperature exchange break layer (EBL) inserted between magnetic recording layers, where the high-temperature exchange break layer material is capable of maintaining its chemical properties at temperatures exceeding 300° C. The high-temperature EBL may include a non-metallic compound including at least one of an oxide, a carbide, and a nitride.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a substrate carrier configured to rotatably carry at least one substrate through a plurality of processing stations. The substrate carrier includes an integrated heater for heating a first side of the substrate while the second side of the substrate undergoes one or more manufacturing processes at each of the plurality of processing stations, e.g., to promote the desired growth of HAMR media. This can result in the elimination of one or more processing stations, thereby realizing cost savings, decreased substrate processing time, as well as a reduced area within which a substrate processing system can be implemented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming implanted capping layers in magnetic media for magnetic recording are provided. One such method includes providing an underlayer, providing a magnetic recording layer on the underlayer, the magnetic recording layer including a bottom surface and a top surface where the bottom surface is between the top surface and the underlayer, and implanting a capping material in the top surface of the magnetic recording layer using a direct implantation technique or an indirect implantation technique.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning workpieces are described. One method includes performing both a sonication cleaning operation and a rinse cleaning operation within a single cleaning tank. Another cleaning method described includes the use of cross flow of cleaning liquid within a cleaning tank while performing a rinse clean. The cleaning method includes the oscillation of one or more workpieces in the cleaning tank to perform the rinse clean.

Abstract: A method and system provide a magnetic recording media usable in a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) disk drive. The magnetic recording media includes a magnetic recording layer, a crystalline underlayer, and a crystalline heat sink layer. The crystalline underlayer is between the crystalline heat sink layer and the magnetic recording layer. The magnetic recording layer stores magnetic data. The crystalline underlayer has a first crystal structure. The crystalline heat sink layer has a second crystal structure.