Abstract: A method of performing imprint lithography of a surface substrate includes a stamper having a thin lubricant coating thereon to facilitate release of the stamper from the imprinted surface to reduce degradation of image replication. Embodiments of the invention include stampers suitable for use in patterning servo information on magnetic recording media having a lubricant coating of from about 1 nm to about 20 nm.

Abstract: A method of performing imprint lithography of a surface substrate includes a stamper having a thin lubricant coating thereon to facilitate release of the stamper from the imprinted surface to reduce degradation of image replication. Embodiments of the invention include stampers suitable for use in patterning servo information on magnetic recording media having a lubricant coating of from about 1 nm to about 20 nm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of a recording medium comprises sequential steps of: (a) providing a substrate/workpiece comprising a topographically patterned surface including a plurality of projections and depressions corresponding to a pattern to be formed in a surface of the recording medium; (b) forming a thin release layer in conformal contact with the topographically patterned surface by means of a dry process; (c) forming a thicker layer of a material in conformal contact with the thin passivation layer on the topographically patterned surface; and (d) separating the thicker layer of material from the topographically patterned surface to form therefrom a stamper/imprinter including an imprinting surface having a negative image replica of the topographically patterned surface, separation of the thicker layer of material from the topographically patterned surface being facilitated by the thin release layer formed by the dry process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of a recording medium, comprising sequential steps of: (a) providing a permanent master comprising a body of a substantially rigid material having a surface with a topographical pattern formed therein comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, the topographical pattern corresponding to a pattern to be formed in a recording medium; (b) forming a layer of a substantially rigid material over the surface of the permanent master with the topographical pattern formed therein; (c) separating the layer of a substantially rigid material from the master, the layer of a substantially rigid material having an imprinting surface with a topographical pattern formed therein replicating the topographical pattern of the permanent master; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) multiple times with the permanent master provided in step (a) to form a plurality of stampers/imprinters.

Abstract: A device for use in performing simultaneous contact printing of magnetic patterns in opposing surfaces of a dual-sided magnetic or magneto-optical (MO) recording medium, comprising: (a) a fixedly mounted first magnetic pole having a first end surface; (b) an axially movable second magnetic pole in axial alignment with the first magnetic pole, the second magnetic pole having a second end surface opposite to and facing the first end surface of the first magnetic pole; (c) a first portion of a centering insert fixture mounted on the first end surface of the first magnetic pole; and (d) a second portion of a centering insert fixture mounted on the second end surface of the second magnetic pole.

Abstract: An elastomer pad used in a system and method for servo formatting magnetic media using contact magnetic printing is disclosed. The elastomer pad includes a substrate substantially the same shape and size as the magnetic media and an elastomer material bonded to the substrate wherein the substrate provides support for the elastomer material. Further an apparatus for creating magnetic patterns on magnetic media, including the elastomer pad, is disclosed and includes a stamper having a pattern, a press for supplying a force to the stamper and the magnetic media, the elastomer pad including the substrate and bonded elastomer material, positioned between the stamper and the press for enabling the stamper to conform to the contours of the unflat stamper, and a magnet for supplying a magnetic field to the stamper and the magnetic media causing the pattern on the stamper to be transferred to the magnetic media.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a patterned magnetic layer comprises sequential steps of: (a) providing a workpiece comprising a non-magnetic substrate, a layer of magnetic material overlying a surface of the substrate, and a layer of a non-magnetic material overlying the layer of magnetic material; (b) forming a layer of a mask material on the layer of non-magnetic material; (c) forming a topographical pattern comprising a plurality of recesses in the layer of mask material; (d) selectively removing portions of the layer of non-magnetic material proximate lower portions of the recesses, thereby exposing selected portions of the layer of magnetic material; (e) treating the exposed portions of the layer of magnetic material with a liquid for reducing the magnetic properties thereof; and (f) removing the topographically patterned layer of mask material.

Abstract: A method of performing thermal imprint lithography of a surface of a thermoplastic layer-coated workpiece for forming a pattern therein comprises pre-heating the workpiece to a pre-selected high temperature prior to inserting the workpiece in a stamping/imprinting tool maintained at a predetermined lower temperature, whereby the interval for thermal cycling of the stamping/imprinting tool between higher and lower temperatures is eliminated or at least reduced. Applications of the method include forming servo patterns in disk-shaped substrates for hard disk recording media.

Abstract: A device for precisely aligning a stamper/imprinter for use in a process for contact printing of a magnetic pattern in a surface of a magnetic or magneto-optical (MO) recording medium, comprising: (a) a holding plate having opposed first and second major surfaces; (b) means for positioning and fixedly mounting a stamper/imprinter on the first major surface of the holding plate; (c) a mounting plate having opposed first and second major surfaces, the first major surface of the mounting plate facing the second major surface of the holding plate; and (d) mounting means for positioning and fixedly mounting the first major surface of the mounting plate in contact with the second major surface of the holding plate, including means for laterally moving the holding plate relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of a recording medium comprises sequential steps of: (a) providing a substrate/workpiece comprising a topographically patterned surface including a plurality of projections and depressions corresponding to a pattern to be formed in a surface of the recording medium; (b) forming a thin release layer in conformal contact with the topographically patterned surface by means of a dry process; (c) forming a thicker layer of a material in conformal contact with the thin passivation layer on the topographically patterned surface; and (d) separating the thicker layer of material from the topographically patterned surface to form therefrom a stamper/imprinter including an imprinting surface having a negative image replica of the topographically patterned surface, separation of the thicker layer of material from the topographically patterned surface being facilitated by the thin release layer formed by the dry process.

Abstract: A stamper/imprinter for use in performing thermal imprint lithography of a substrate/workpiece surface to form a pattern of features in first portions of the surface intended to receive the pattern, without incurring random formation of undesired, disordered features in second portions of the substrate/workpiece surface not intended to receive the pattern, comprising an imprinting surface configured to substantially prevent formation of gaps between the imprinting surface and the second portions of the surface during stamping/imprinting. Embodiments include stampers/imprinters with a multilevel imprinting surface comprises a first portion having a first level for forming the pattern of features in the first portions of the surface and a second portion having a second level for substantially preventing formation of gaps between the imprinting surface and the second portions of the surface during stamping/imprinting.

Abstract: A method of performing imprint lithography of a surface of a workpiece including a substrate, wherein a stamper/imprinter comprised of a material having thermal expansion characteristics different from the material of said substrate is utilized for embossing a desired pattern in said workpiece surface, the method comprising conducting the embossing at room temperature in order to avoid deleterious effects arising from differences in thermal expansion/contraction characteristics between the stamper/imprinter and the workpiece which occur during conventional imprinting at elevated temperatures. Embodiments of the invention include forming servo patterns in disk-shaped substrates utilized in the manufacture of hard disk magnetic recording media.