Abstract: A manufacturing method for a magnetic recording medium which includes a magnetic layer, a lower protective layer, an upper protective layer and a lubricating layer on a substrate, and in which the total film thickness of the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer is 2.5 nm or less, includes: 1) depositing the lower protective layer; 2) performing oxygen plasma treatment on the lower protective layer; 3) depositing the upper protective layer; and 4) performing nitrogen plasma treatment on the upper protective layer. It is preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of a carbon-based material, and it is further more preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of diamond-like carbon. Moreover, it is preferable that the contact angle of the lower protective layer with respect to water in the atmosphere is 25° or less.

Abstract: The magnetic recording medium for a heat-assisted recording system has a magnetic recording layer on a non-magnetic substrate and a protective layer on top of the magnetic recording layer. The protective layer includes a first lower protective layer on top of the magnetic recording layer, a first upper protective layer on the first lower protective layer, and a second protective layer on the first upper protective layer. The first lower protective layer is composed mainly of an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Al and Cu, and the first upper protective layer is a layer configured by an oxide of the material of the first lower protective layer.

Abstract: The magnetic recording medium for a heat-assisted recording system has a magnetic recording layer on a non-magnetic substrate and a protective layer on top of the magnetic recording layer. The protective layer includes a first lower protective layer on top of the magnetic recording layer, a first upper protective layer on the first lower protective layer, and a second protective layer on the first upper protective layer. The first lower protective layer is composed mainly of an element selected from the group consisting of Si, Al and Cu, and the first upper protective layer is a layer configured by an oxide of the material of the first lower protective layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate having sequentially formed thereon (a) a magnetic layer; (b) a protective layer having a thickness ranging from 1.0 nm to 2.5 nm and being composed of an amorphous metal layer having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm, the amorphous metal layer being composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of Si, Al, Ge, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and W that is in an amorphous state; (c) a carbon layer formed on the amorphous metal layer and having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm, the carbon layer including amorphous carbon; and (d) a lubricating layer, wherein the carbon layer includes nitrogen atoms in a surface thereof in which a ratio of number of nitrogen atoms to total number of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms is 14 atomic % or less.

Abstract: A recording medium for recording and reproducing information by means of a head which performs information readout and writing based on magnetic principles is disclosed. The medium comprises a magnetic layer formed on a substrate and a protective layer formed on the magnetic layer. The protective layer comprises an underlayer formed on the magnetic layer and includes a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon carbide and germanium. A carbon layer formed on the underlayer includes amorphous carbon containing hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen in the carbon layer is 24.7 at % or higher and 46.8 at % or lower, the thickness of the underlayer is 0.3 nm or greater and 1.8 nm or less, and the thickness of the carbon layer is 0.2 nm or greater and 1.7 nm or less. The medium exhibits corrosion resistance, sliding durability and head flying characteristics, and reduces magnetic spacing while securing reliability.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a magnetic recording medium which includes a magnetic layer, a lower protective layer, an upper protective layer and a lubricating layer on a substrate, and in which the total film thickness of the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer is 2.5 nm or less, includes: 1) depositing the lower protective layer; 2) performing oxygen plasma treatment on the lower protective layer; 3) depositing the upper protective layer; and 4) performing nitrogen plasma treatment on the upper protective layer. It is preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of a carbonvery easy to use VVery eas-based material, and it is further more preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of diamond-like carbon. Moreover, it is preferable that the contact angle of the lower protective layer with respect to water in the atmosphere is 25° or less.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate having sequentially formed thereon a magnetic layer; a protective layer having a thickness ranging from 1.0 nm to 2.5 nm and being composed of an amorphous metal layer having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm formed on the magnetic layer, and a carbon layer composed of amorphous carbon having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm formed on the amorphous metal layer; and a lubricating layer, wherein the carbon layer includes nitrogen atoms in a surface thereof in which a ratio of number of nitrogen atoms to total number of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms is 14 atomic % or less. Recording performance is improved by reducing the thickness of the protective layer thereof. A method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium includes performing a nitrogen plasma treatment on a surface of the carbon layer that is effective to adjust the ratio.

Abstract: A recording medium for recording and reproducing information by means of a head which performs information readout and writing based on magnetic principles is disclosed. The medium comprises a magnetic layer formed on a substrate and a protective layer formed on the magnetic layer. The protective layer comprises an underlayer formed on the magnetic layer and includes a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon carbide and germanium. A carbon layer formed on the underlayer includes amorphous carbon containing hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen in the carbon layer is 24.7 at % or higher and 46.8 at % or lower, the thickness of the underlayer is 0.3 nm or greater and 1.8 nm or less, and the thickness of the carbon layer is 0.2 nm or greater and 1.7 nm or less. The medium exhibits corrosion resistance, sliding durability and head flying characteristics, and reduces magnetic spacing while securing reliability.