Abstract: An arrangement and method of measuring head-media spacing modulation (HMS_Wq) removes the portion of out-of-plane motion caused by disk modes from the dynamic measurements of hard disk surface topography. Employing time-domain measurement techniques, circumferential surface topographical measurements are made for a hard disk surface. A boundary wavelength is determined, and a first partial HMS_Wq value is determined based upon measurements taken at a first disk rotational speed. A second partial HMS_Wq value is determined based upon measurements taken at a second disk rotational speed. The first and second partial HMS_Wq values are combined to provide a complete and accurate HMS_Wq value, taking advantage of the principle that the disk mode location in the spatial domain topography spectrum converted from the measured time-domain data shifts when the disk rotation speed is changed during the measurement.

Abstract: Ion beam-deposited, nitrogen-doped C:H films having substantially lower resistivities than undoped ion beam-deposited C:H films and suitable for use as hard, abrasion-resistant overcoat layers for magnetic recording media, such as hard disks, are formed by supplying a mixture of hydrocarbon and nitrogen gases to an ion beam generator. Nitrogen atom content of the films is controlled to within from about 5 to about 25 at. % by appropriate selection of the ratio of hydrocarbon gas flow to nitrogen gas flow. The resultant IBD i-C:HN films exhibit a reduced tendency for charge build-up thereon during hard disk operation by virtue of their lower resistivity vis-à-vis conventional a-C:H materials.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the durability and reliability of recording media used in hard drives is disclosed. A protective overcoat made by depositing a diamond like carbon (DLC) layer over a magnetic layer and then depleting the DLC protective layer of hydrogen before it is coated with a Perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) using an in-situ vapor lubrication technique.

Abstract: A data/information storage and retrieval medium, comprising: (a) a substrate including a layer stack thereon, the layer stack including a surface and at least one magnetic or magneto-optical (“MO”) recording layer; and (b) a thin film or layer of a lubricant formed on the surface of the layer stack, comprised of a derivatized perfluoropolyether compound comprising a generally linear perfluoropolyethcr chain and at least one Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (“HALS”) moiety at at least one end of the chain.

Abstract: A data/information storage and retrieval medium, comprising: (a) a disk-shaped substrate including at least one surface with a layer stack thereon and including at least one magnetic or magneto-optical (“MO”) recording layer and an uppermost, protective overcoat layer comprising a carbon (C)-based material; and (b) a lubricant topcoat layer on the protective overcoat layer, the lubricant topcoat layer treated solely with UV radiation at a dosage sufficient to increase the glide yield, decrease the glide noise, and increase the number of CSS pass cycles of the medium before failure, relative to that of the same medium but with an untreated lubricant topcoat layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method measuring the height of a magneto-resistive element (MRE) on a padded slider in a disc drive based on a change in the resistance of the MRE. During operation of the disc drive a biasing current is applied to the MRE head. Next a resistance value of the MRE head is calculated by determining the voltage drop across the MRE head. The resistance of the MRE head is dependent upon its temperature. The temperature of the MRE lowers as its proximity to the disc increases, as the cooler disc surface acts as a conduit drawing heat away from the MRE. This measured resistance value is compared to a threshold value. The threshold value is based upon the resistance of the MRE head at a threshold temperature, which corresponds to a specific distance away from the disc surface. If the measured resistance is lower than the threshold resistance the method outputs an indication to a user that the drive is in danger of failing.

Abstract: Ion beam-deposited, nitrogen-doped C:H films having substantially lower resistivities than undoped ion beam-deposited C:H films and suitable for use as hard, abrasion-resistant overcoat layers for magnetic recording media, such as hard disks, are formed by supplying a mixture of hydrocarbon and nitrogen gases to an ion beam generator. Nitrogen atom content of the films is controlled to within from about 5 to about 25 at. % by appropriate selection of the ratio of hydrocarbon gas flow to nitrogen gas flow. The resultant IBD i-C:HN films exhibit a reduced tendency for charge build-up thereon during hard disk operation by virtue of their lower resistivity vis-à-vis conventional a-C:H materials.

Abstract: Corrosion protection of magnetic recording media is achieved by providing a thin protective barrier layer comprising ruthenium on the magnetic layer. Embodiments include forming a corrosion barrier layer less than 10 Å of elemental ruthenium, a ruthenium oxide, a ruthenium alloy, a layer comprising mixed oxides of ruthenium and an alloying element, a composite of a ruthenium layer and a layer of ruthenium oxide or a composite of a ruthenium alloy layer and a layer of mixed oxides of ruthenium and an alloying element. A carbon containing an overcoat is then formed, as at a thickness of about 10 Å to 50 Å, on the corrosion protective layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium with a dual-layer lubricant for better and faster mobility of a lubricant to ensure rapid healing of areas of the medium that have been depleted of the lubricant is disclosed.

Abstract: A component of a recording device comprising a magnetic layer, means for improving corrosion resistance of the magnetic layer and a carbon overcoat, and a method of making and using the same are disclosed. The means for improving corrosion resistance of the magnetic layer comprises a sealing layer comprising a refractory metal or a refractory metal-containing alloy.

Abstract: A magnetically patterned hard disk is made by sputtering the magnetic layers, sputtering the carbon layer, applying a nonfunctional lubricant, buff/wiping the disk to remove sputtering debris and asperities, removing the nonfunctional lubricant using a standard degreasing process, applying and patterning a resist, and thereafter subjecting the exposed disk to inert ion irradiation.

Abstract: A method of texturing the surface of a CSS/landing zone of a substrate for a magnetic recording medium, comprising steps of: (a) providing a disk-shaped substrate having a surface; (b) providing a patterned mask in overlying relation to the substrate surface, (c) selectively implanting ions in portions of the surface of the CSS/landing zone exposed by the patterned mask openings, whereby the height of the selectively ion-implanted portions is increased or decreased relative to the height of non-ion-implanted portions of the CSS/landing zone to form bumps or depressions, thereby providing the surface of the CSS/landing zone with a texture for reducing stiction and friction when the medium is used with a low flying height read/write transducer. Embodiments of the invention include hard disk magnetic recording media with textured CSS/landing zones produced by the inventive ion implation methodology.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising a magnetic layer and a protective carbon-containing overcoat comprising a first carbon density, preferably of a low-density carbon, and a second carbon density different from the first carbon density, preferably of a high-density carbon, and a method of making and using the magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A perfluoropolyether hard disk lubricant having a UV curable functional end group that may be UV cured at a rapid rate with a Xenon excimer lamp. The perfluoropolyether preferably has at least one UV curable functional end group. In one embodiment, the UV curable end group comprises an acrylate.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the durability and reliability of recording media used in hard drives is disclosed. A protective overcoat made by depositing a diamond like carbon (DLC) layer over a magnetic layer and then depleting a portion of the DLC protective layer of hydrogen before it is coated with a Perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) using an in-situ vapor lubrication technique. The portion of the DLC layer which is depleted can be data zone of the media so that the lubricant-bonding ratio is higher for the landing zone than it is for the data zone.

Abstract: A method of overcoming stiction, at a head-to-disc interface, within a disc drive. The method comprises the operations of powering on the disc drive and initiating a motor spin-up routine. The motor spin-up routine involves a breakaway part, during which a spindle motor, carrying a disc in the disc drive, is driven with a spindle motor current at a first level sufficient to generate a motor torque greater than half of a maximum stiction force for a first time period in order to break stiction, and then driving the spindle motor with the spindle motor current at a second level, less than the first level after the first time period to rotate the disc. The breakaway part of the spin-up routine is followed by an acceleration part and then a normal disc rotation part during which nominal speed is maintained.

Abstract: A method of forming a layer of a novel hard, abrasion and corrosion resistant, nitrogen-doped, high carbon density, amorphous carbon or hydrogenated carbon (C:H) protective overcoat material on a surface of a recording medium comprises steps of: (a) providing a substrate including a stacked plurality of thin film layers thereon constituting the medium; (b) forming, by a process comprising generation and deposition of C ions having energies of at least about 90 eV, a layer of an amorphous carbon or hydrogenated carbon (C:H) material on the at least one surface of the substrate, the C:H layer having a high carbon density of at least about 2.0 gm/cm3; and (c) implanting nitrogen (N) ions in a surface portion of the high carbon density amorphous carbon or C:H layer to form an N-doped amorphous carbon or C:H surface layer having a carbon density substantially equal to said high C density of the C:H layer formed in step (b).

Abstract: A disc storage system includes a rotating disc and a transducer. The transducer is carried on a slider which is supported by an armature. The armature is used to move the slider radially across the disc surface whereby information may be read from or written to the disc surface of the transducer. The slider includes an air bearing surface which faces the disc surface. As the disc rotates, the air bearing surface causes the slider to “fly” over the disc surface. Pads are provided on the air bearing surface to improve operational characteristics of the system. For example, the pads may be used to reduce the stiction or improve flying characteristics. Flying instabilities associated with the pads are addressed by a number of characteristics provided to the air bearing surface.

Abstract: A disc storage system includes a rotating disc and a transducer. The transducer is carried on a slider which is supported by an armature. The armature is used to move the slider radially across the disc surface whereby information may be read from or written to the disc surface of the transducer. The slider includes an air bearing surface which faces the disc surface. As the disc rotates, the air bearing surface causes the slider to “fly” over the disc surface. Pads are provided on the air bearing surface to improve operational characteristics of the system. For example, the pads may be used to reduce the stiction or improve flying characteristics. Flying instabilities associated with the pads are addressed by a number of characteristics provided to the air bearing surface.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to lubricants disposed over magnetic storage media, such as rotatable thin film magnetic discs. One embodiment comprises a lubricant compound of a fluoropolyether chain having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs. For example, the carbonyl-imide pair may be located at one end, both ends, and/or in the middle of the fluoropolyether chain.