Abstract: An apparatus comprises a storage medium, a substrate separated from the storage medium by a gap, and a plurality of spacers defining a distance between the storage medium and the substrate, wherein the spacers include a curved end.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a storage media having a surface coated with a lubricant, and a plurality of probes having tips contacting the lubricant, wherein the probes are coated with one of a fluorocarbon, perfluoropolyether, polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyethylene, or a hydrocarbon polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording medium having a solid lubricating layer that has increased thermal stability over traditional solid lubricants. The lubricating layer includes amorphous fluorinated carbon doped with a thermally stabilizing dopant, such as N or SiO2. In one embodiment, a method of lubricating the recording medium by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition is also provided.

Abstract: Magnetic disk drive head/disk stiction is reduced by applying an electrostatic field between the head and the disk as the head dwells in contact with the disk surface. Just before the disk drive begins disk rotation in order that the heads take off, the electrostatic field is removed.

Abstract: A method of patterning a layer of ferromagnetic metallic nanoparticles for use as a portion of a magnetic recording medium is provided. The method involves providing a substrate and coating the substrate with an unmodified affinity layer. Portions of the unmodified affinity layer are exposed to a reactive material that chemically modifies the affinity layer. The modified portions are chemically attractive to the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles are then deposited on the chemically modified portions of the affinity layer. A recording medium comprising a substrate, a modified affinity layer and a ferromagnetic nanoparticle metallic layer is also disclosed.