Abstract: Compositely micro-textured thin film, magnetic disc media, with methods and apparatus for producing such, which are characterized by the incorporation of a first stage of micro-texturing provided by etching of a disc substrate, with a second, disparate, micro-texturing stage depositing rounded globules of eutectic alloy on the etched substrate.

Abstract: Hydrogen-treated, sputter deposited, titanium nodules providing enhanced micro-texturing for thin film, magnetic, disk media.

Abstract: A method for controlling the application of lubricant to thin film, magnetic disk media entailing ultrasonic vibration of heated disk lubricant.

Abstract: An enhanced magnetic head is characterized by sputter induced, micro-texturing yielding rounded globular configurations on slider rail portions. Optimally, this enhanced head is employed in combination with sputter induced micro-textured thin film disk media having a surface or coarseness greater than that of the magnetic head.

Abstract: Sputter induced micro-texturing of thin film magnetic media discs entailing the formation of micro-texturing globules comprising a eutectic alloy of Indium and Bismuth.

Abstract: A composite lubricant for thin-film magnetic discs comprising perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant and an anti-oxidant, cyclophosphazene lubricant dispersed in a fluoropentane solvent.

Abstract: Thin film disk media which is initially coated with lubricant from the ID or normal head landing area radially outwardly across the data zone. The initially applied lubricant area is thinned and buffed in the data area so as to provide a substantially reduced lubricant layer overlying the data zone characterized by markedly improved coefficient of friction characteristics in relation to what would have been produced without such lubricant removal and buffing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin film magnetic media disks entailing the improvement arising from causing spaced electrical probes to engage spaced portions of an exposed outer surface of a disk overcoat layer; creating a voltage across the spaced electrodes; measuring a function of electrical resistance between the ends of the probes in engagement with the exposed outer surface of the overcoat layer; and employing this measured resistance function generally as a measure of wear properties of the overcoat layer.

Abstract: Sputter induced micro-texturing of thin film magnetic media discs entailing the formation of micro-texturing globules comprising a eutectic alloy of Indium and Bismuth.

Abstract: Thin film media characterized by the utilization of a substantially peritectic seed alloy layer which is sputter deposited so as to provide dispersed, substantially peritectic and homogenous globules underlying subsequently deposited media layers. These media layers may include a metal layer such as chrome and a magnetic layer such as an alloy of cobalt, chromium, and platinum and possibly other ingredients.

Abstract: Method and magnetic transducer head characterized by enhanced coating of wear resistant carbon layer over an insulating short circuit, preventing layer on a magnetic, data transferring, head.

Abstract: A discontinuous flash chrome interlayer of about 5 to 25 .ANG. is incorporated between the upper and lower magnetic recording alloy layers. This flash non-magnetic separation layer is so thin that it is, in fact, a discontinuous layer, so that while the benefits of having some chrome flashed on the surface of the first portion of the magnetic recording alloy are achieved, yet the upper and lower magnetic recording alloy layers are not completely physically separated as they are in disks made according to known sputtering processes.

Abstract: Thin film media characterized by the utilization of a substantially peritectic seed alloy layer which is sputter deposited so as to provide dispersed, substantially peritectic and homogenous globules underlying subsequently deposited media layers. These media layers may include a metal layer such as chrome and a magnetic layer such as an alloy of cobalt, chromium, and platinum and possibly other ingredients.

Abstract: A magnetic thin-film disc having a magnetic thin film formed of a lower and upper sublayers. The two sublayers are characterized by lower coercivity, smaller grains, and more isolated grains in the lower sublayer, and higher coercivity, and larger grains in the upper sublayer. In one embodiment, the sublayers are characterized by an increasing magnetic remanence on progressing from the outer to the inner diameter of the disc. Also disclosed are sputtering methods for producing the disc.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic disc having a carbon overcoat which is characterized by (a) a thickness of less than about 500 .ANG. and (b) surface nitrogen atoms having a nitrogen (1s) electron principle binding energy, as determined by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA), of about 399.4 eV. The nitrogen atoms enhance lubricant adhesion to the overcoat. In a preferred embodiment, the overcoat is formed by sputtering under an argon/hydrocarbon/nitrogen gas atmosphere to produce long resistance-to-erosion times, and high lubricity properties.

Abstract: A method for texturing a disc substrate, and a particle slurry for use in the method. The slurry includes two populations of different-size particles, preferably one population containing particles in a 3 micron size range, and a second population containing particles in a 1 micron size range. The particles, when used to abrade the surface of a disc, create a surface texture characterized by a low peak/peak-to-valley ratio.

Abstract: A target assembly is provided having a circular flat target with an inner ring and an outer ring extending from the sputtering surface. A ferromagnetic outer pole member surrounds the target and the outer ring. A ferromagnetic inner pole member is surrounded by the target and the inner ring. A ferromagnetic backing member is positioned against the base surface of the target and has an outer portion positioned against the outer pole member, and an inner portion positioned against the inner pole member. These are positioned relative to the source of the magnetic field for conducting flux in a first path through the outer portion and the outer pole member, across the sputtering surface between the outer and inner rings, and through the inner pole member and inner portion. The backing member further includes a shunt portion intermediate between and magnetically spaced from the inner and outer portions.

Abstract: A method of forming an isotropic texture having a selected summit density and surface roughness in a selected inner-diameter annular zone of a thin-film medium substrate having a polished metal coating on the substrate. The zone is selectively exposed to a chemical etchant, under etchant strength, temperature, and exposure time, until the selected summit density and roughness are achieved. In a preferred embodiment, the etching conditions are selected to produce a summit density between about 500-20,000/mm.sup.2, and an arithmetic mean roughness value between about 20-70 .ANG. in the inner zone, and a substantially reduced roughness value in an annular, isotropically textured outer-diameter zone of the coating. A thin-film medium formed on the substrate is suitable for near-contact recording.

Abstract: A thin-film medium formed on a low-friction glass substrate. The substrate is micro-roughened by plasma etching, under conditions which produce a desired surface density of zero crossings and depth of microscopic surface irregularities.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the start/stop lifetime of a thin-film magnetic medium having an overcoat formed by sputtering a carbon-containing overcoat on a magnetic-film substrate. Resistance to erosion of the medium is evaluated by the time required to wear away the overcoat during a high-speed abrasion treatment. Lubricity is measured either in terms of the coefficient of friction of the disc, or in terms or surface hydrophobicity, as gauged by one of a number of measurable surface properties. The method allows for rapid assessment of disc wear properties, and can be used to optimize sputtering conditions required to achieve selected hardness and lubricity properties in a disc overcoat.