Abstract: A method for cutting thin film filter work pieces has two embodiments. In a first embodiment, an intermediate layer (13) binds an augmenting substrate (14) to a glass substrate (12) of the work piece (16) prior to cutting of the work piece. In a second embodiment, the work piece (23) comprises a glass substrate (22) which is thicker than a final desired thickness. After the work piece is cut, a surplus portion (222) of the glass substrate is removed. Both embodiments of the method increase the effective thickness of the work piece, which reduces the residual stress in the final thin film filter product, and reduces the risk of a film stack (11, 21) of the work piece peeling from the glass substrate during the cutting process.

Abstract: A method for cutting thin film filter work pieces has two embodiments. In a first embodiment, an intermediate layer (13) binds an augmenting substrate (14) to a glass substrate (12) of the work piece (16) prior to cutting of the work piece. In a second embodiment, the work piece (23) comprises a glass substrate (22) which is thicker than a final desired thickness. After the work piece is cut, a surplus portion (222) of the glass substrate is removed. Both embodiments of the method increase the effective thickness of the work piece, which reduces the residual stress in the final thin film filter product, and reduces the risk of a film stack (11, 21) of the work piece peeling from the glass substrate during the cutting process.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer-based rare earth-doped waveguide includes the steps of: providing a substrate (11); spin coating a polymer bottom cladding layer (12) on the substrate; spin coating a core layer (13) comprising a polymer and complex rare earth metal ions, which can be excited to produce a laser, on the bottom cladding layer; using a channel patterning technique with masking and ultraviolet (UV) radiation followed by etching to form at least one channel waveguide (14); and spin coating a polymer top cladding layer (15) over the at least one channel waveguide and exposed portions of the bottom cladding layer. The method includes improving the solubility of rare earth metal ions in a polymer matrix, by forming a complex of each rare earth metal ion with an organic compound. These complexes have higher solubility in a fluorinated polymer, compared with pure rare earth metal ions.

Abstract: A DWDM thin film filter includes a substrate (11) and a film stack (12). The film stack comprises a plurality of cavities (13). Each cavity includes a first group of mirror layers (21), a second group of mirror layers (22), and a spacer layer (23). Each group of mirror layers includes a plurality of high refractive index thin films (31) and low refractive index thin films (32) alternately deposited one on another. The material of the high refractive index films is a composition of indium-tin oxide. In the preferred embodiment, a thin film filter having 160 layers of film can be produced. Such a thin film filter attains the same or better optical characteristics as a conventional DWDM thin film filter having 180 layers of film.

Abstract: Methods for making thin film filters having a negative temperature drift coefficient are the subject of the present invention. Such filters can achieve better optical control within an operational temperature range from −5 to 70 degrees centigrade. A first embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: 1. providing a substrate wafer which has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) greater than that of a selected film stack material; 2. polishing the substrate wafer; 3. depositing thin film layers made of the film stack material on the substrate wafer at a temperature substantially higher than room temperature; 4. cooling the substrate-film stack laminate to room temperature, thus forming a convex-shaped laminate; 5. cutting the cooled laminate into pieces. A second embodiment includes the steps of: 1. providing a laminate compose of a glass substrate and a film stack; 2. using at least one ion beam source to bombard the film stack of the laminate with high energy ions; 3.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is provided with a dual layer protective overcoat system comprising a SiC corrosion barrier layer and a carbon-containing protective overcoat thereon. The SiC layer effectively prevents or significantly reduces Co and Ni diffusion to the medium surface. Embodiments include magnetic recording media comprising a SiC corrosion barrier layer over a magnetic layer, an overlying protective layer of amorphous hydrogenated carbon, amorphous nitrogenated carbon or amorphous hydrogen-nitrogenated carbon, and a lubricant topcoat thereon. Embodiments of the present invention further include magnetic recording media comprising Ni—P plated aluminum, Ni-plated glass or non-conductive substrates including glass, glass-ceramic and ceramic materials. Embodiments of the present invention further include a dual protective overcoat system having a combined thickness less than about 100 Å, such as less than about 75 Å, e.g.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium on glass or Al substrates with film structures of CrV/NiAl/CrMo/CoCrTa/CoCrPtTaNbB and CrMo/CoCrTa/CoCrPtTaNbB exhibit high coercivity and high signal-to-medium noise ratio. The medium can be used for high-density longitudinal magnetic recording. Embodiments include forming a sub-seed layer on a NiP-plated aluminum substrate, and sequentially depositing a seed layer, an underlayer, an intermediate layer and a magnetic layer on the substrate. The magnetic layer contains at least six elements, including Co, Cr and B.

Abstract: A magnetic recording media is formed with high in-plane coercivity employing dual magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer is sputter deposited in a chamber employing a shield such that the minimum incident angle of impinging atoms is relatively large, e.g., greater than about 26°. Embodiments of the present invention comprise depositing a NiAI seedlayer, a Cr or Cr alloy underlayer and a first CoCrTa magnetic layer at a thickness less than about 50Å for inducing the preferred (10.0) crystallographic orientation in the subsequently deposited second magnetic layer, e.g., CoCrPtTa or CoCrPtTaNb having a high Cr content of about 16 to about 21 at.%.

Abstract: This invention provides a new AWG deposition system to fabricate a multilayers AWG. In order to manufacture high quality films and reduce the pollution of chemicals, super high density plasma technology is applied to this system because the traditional processes such as MOCVD, PECVD, etc. use toxic chemicals to produce pollution and cause environment problem. The new design also provides a flexible ion sources, targets, power supplies, and mass flow rate controllers which numbers depend on the requirements of the system.

Abstract: Reproducible texturing of magnetic recording media is enhanced by sputtering a buffer layer, such as Ni-P, on a nonmagnetic substrate, prior to sputtering a textured bump layer. A magnetic recording medium comprising a sputter textured metal layer and high coercivity is achieved by employing an underlayer, such as NiAl or FeAl, preferably a composite underlayer containing a chromium or chromium-alloy layer and a NiAl layer, on the sputter textured layer. Advantageously, the buffer layer, underlayer, textured bump layer, magnetic layer and carbon overcoat can be sputter deposited in a single apparatus.

Abstract: A collimator system is disclosed for use in an in-line pass-by sputtering system during the fabrication of recording media to improve the data storage density and read/write performance characteristics of the media. The collimator system includes a collimator shield and a collimator honeycomb. The shield includes a rectangular tube having a flange and a frame at inner and outer ends, respectively. The various components of the shield in part serve to prevent possible contamination of substrates due to target atom accumulation on the chamber walls during the sputtering process. The collimator honeycomb is provided for blocking target atoms from contacting the substrate at low incident angles. The collimator honeycomb is comprised of a plurality of collimators which are identical to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the collimators have a hexagonal cross-section taken from a perspective perpendicular to the substrate. The collimators may also have other geometric shapes.

Abstract: Reproducible texturing of magnetic recording media is enhanced by sputtering a buffer layer, such as Ni—P, on a nonmagnetic substrate, prior to sputtering a textured bump layer. A magnetic recording medium comprising a sputter textured metal layer and high coercivity is achieved by employing an underlayer, such as NiAl or FeAl, preferably a composite underlayer containing a chromium or chromium-alloy layer and a NiAl layer, on the sputter textured layer. Advantageously, the buffer layer, underlayer, textured bump layer, magnetic layer and carbon overcoat can be sputter deposited in a single apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic recording media is formed with high in-plane coercivity employing dual magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer is sputter deposited in a chamber employing a shield such that the minimum incident angle of impinging atoms is relatively large, e.g., greater than about 26°. Embodiments of the present invention comprise depositing a NiAl seedlayer, a Cr or Cr alloy underlayer and a first CoCrTa magnetic layer at a thickness less than about 50Å for inducing the preferred (10.0) crystallographic orientation in the subsequently deposited second magnetic layer, e.g., CoCrPtTa or CoCrPtTaNb having a high Cr content of about 16 to about 21 at. %.

Abstract: Sputter-deposited amorphous metal oxide films on substrates comprising an aluminum-containing support and a Ni-containing pre-coat reduce Ni ion migration significantly from the substrate onto the top surface of the magnetic recording media. Longitudinal magnetic recording media deposited on metal oxide sealing layers have very good magnetic recording performances and are suitable for high density recording application.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium on glass or Al substrates with film structure of NiAl seed layer/CrMo underlayer/CoCrPtB magnetic layer/carbon overcoat, in which the magnetic layer has a substantially (10.0) crystallographic orientation, exhibits high coercivity, high signal-to-medium noise ratio and low transition jitter. The medium can be used for high-density longitudinal magnetic recording. Embodiments include forming a surface oxidized NiAl sub-seed layer on a glass or glass-ceramic substrate, and sequentially depositing a seed layer of NiAl, an underlayer of Cr or Cr-alloy, such as CrMo, and a CoCrPtB magnetic layer.

Abstract: Sputter-deposited amorphous NiNb films on glass or glass-ceramic substrates have good adhesion with the substrates, and reduce lithium migration significantly. Longitudinal magnetic recording media deposited on oxidized NiNb sealing layers have very good magnetic recording performances and are suitable for high density recording application.

Abstract: Sputter-deposited TiW film interposed between a magnetic layer and a nitrogen-containing overcoat of a magnetic recording medium significantly reduces the migration of nitrogen from the overcoat to the magnetic layer, thereby improving the magnetic recording performances of the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: Magnetic recording media with high coercivity and low noise, suitable for high density longitudinal recording, are formed with a surface oxidized sub-seedlayer between a non-magnetic substrate and seedlayer. Embodiments include depositing a NiAl sub-seedlayer on a glass or glass-ceramic substrate, oxidizing the surface of the NiAl sub-seedlayer, and then sequentially depositing a NiAl seedlayer, Cr or Cr alloy underlayer, e.g., CrMo, an optional intermediate CoCrTa alloy layer, a magnetic layer, e.g., a Co-alloy magnetic layer, and a protective overcoat, e.g., a carbon-containing protective overcoat.

Abstract: Reproducible texturing of magnetic recording media is enhanced by sputtering a buffer layer, such as Ni—P, on a nonmagnetic substrate, prior to sputtering a textured bump layer. A magnetic recording medium comprising a sputter textured metal layer and high coercivity is achieved by employing an underlayer, such as NiAl or FeAl, preferably a composite underlayer containing a chromium or chromium-alloy layer and a NiAl layer, on the sputter textured layer. Advantageously, the buffer layer, underlayer, textured bump layer, magnetic layer and carbon overcoat can be sputter deposited in a single apparatus.

Abstract: Reproducible texturing of magnetic recording media is enhanced by sputtering a buffer layer, such as Ni—P, on a nonmagnetic substrate, prior to sputtering a textured bump layer. A magnetic recording medium comprising a sputter textured metal layer and high coercivity is achieved by employing an underlayer, such as NiAl or FeAl, preferably a composite underlayer containing a chromium or chromium-alloy layer and a NiAl layer, on the sputter textured layer. Advantageously, the buffer layer, underlayer, textured bump layer, magnetic layer and carbon overcoat can be sputter deposited in a single apparatus.