Abstract: A high field contrast magnetic stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) recording media by contact printing, comprises: (a) a layer of a magnetic material having a high saturation magnetization Bsat?˜1.2 and high permeability ??˜5, including a first, topographically patterned surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first, topographically patterned surface comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, the topographical pattern corresponding to a magnetic pattern to be formed in a magnetic or MO recording medium; and (b) a layer of Ni on the second surface. A corrosion-resistant protective overcoat layer may be present on the topographically patterned surface. A method for manufacturing the stamper/imprinter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes the steps of (a) forming a perpendicular magnetic recording layer and (b) applying an ion beam to regions between tracks of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer so as to form separation regions for magnetically separating the tracks from each other. In the step (a), a continuous film layer composed of a multilayer film is formed, and CoB layers and Pd layers are laminated in the multilayer film. In the step (b), the CoB layers and the Pd layers are melted by the ion beam so as to form an alloy of metals contained in the CoB layers and the Pd layers to thereby form the separation regions.

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: An apparatus for performing contact printing of a magnetic transition pattern in a magnetic recording medium, comprising: (a) a stamper/imprinter including a body formed of at least one magnetic material having a high saturation magnetization Bsat and a high permeability, including an imprinting surface adapted to be placed in intimate contact with a surface of a magnetic layer, the imprinting surface comprised of a plurality of patterned areas which separate a plurality of areas which are not patterned, each of the areas which is not patterned being provided with at least one of: (i) mechanical reinforcing means for preventing deformation of the body when the imprinting surface is urged into contact with the surface of the magnetic layer; and (ii) gas venting means for facilitating removal of air or other gas from between the imprinting surface and the surface of the magnetic layer when the former is urged into contact with the latter.

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 polarization detection system structured for optical read-out of disc-shaped optical data/information storage and retrieval media with surfaces comprised of pits or marks configured as multilevel oriented nano-structures (ONS) with varying pit or mark orientations and widths. The polarization detection system comprises: an optical beam source; a stage for mounting and rotating an optical disc medium about a central axis; at least one photodetector; a beam splitter positioned in an optical path between the source and stage, for directing an incident beam from the source onto an optical disc mounted on the stage and a return beam from the disc onto the photodetector; and an optical polarizer positioned in an optical path between the beam splitter and the at least one photodetector, for detection and analysis of changes in polarization of the return beam effected by variation of the orientation of the walls and/or widths of the pits or marks of the disc.

Abstract: An optical data/information storage medium comprises a disk-shaped substrate with a data/information encoded surface having a plurality of concentric, radially spaced-apart data tracks formed therein, each of said data tracks comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, nano-dimensioned data pits or marks with different angular orientations with respect to a down-track direction of each data track. Each of the data tracks further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart, nano-dimensioned servo tracking pits or marks with a preselected angular orientation with respect to the down-track direction for use in obtaining radial error (RE) signals of a read-out head by means of radial push-pull (PP) or differential phase detection (DPD) tracking.

Abstract: A method of performing writable optical recording of a medium to form multilevel oriented nano-structures therein, comprises steps of providing a disc-shaped, writable recording medium having a planar surface; and encoding data/information in the medium by forming a plurality of multilevel nano-structured pits in the surface by scanning with a focused spot of optical energy to form at least one data track therein, including scanning the optical spot in a cross-track direction while rotating the disc about a central axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing contact printing of a magnetic transition pattern in a magnetic recording medium, comprising: (a) a stamper/imprinter including a body formed of at least one magnetic material having a high saturation magnetization Bsat and a high permeability, including an imprinting surface adapted to be placed in intimate contact with a surface of a magnetic layer, the imprinting surface comprised of a plurality of patterned areas which separate a plurality of areas which are not patterned, each of the areas which is not patterned being provided with at least one of: (i) mechanical reinforcing means for preventing deformation of the body when the imprinting surface is urged into contact with the surface of the magnetic layer; and (ii) gas venting means for facilitating removal of air or other gas from between the imprinting surface and the surface of the magnetic layer when the former is urged into contact with the latter.

Abstract: A high field contrast magnetic stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) recording media by contact printing, comprises: (a) a layer of a magnetic material having a high saturation magnetization Bsat?˜1.2 and high permeability ??˜5, including a first, topographically patterned surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first, topographically patterned surface comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, the topographical pattern corresponding to a magnetic pattern to be formed in a magnetic or MO recording medium; and (b) a layer of Ni on the second surface. A corrosion-resistant protective overcoat layer may be present on the topographically patterned surface. A method for manufacturing the stamper/imprinter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously forming magnetic transition patterns in both side surfaces of a dual-sided magnetic or magneto-optical (MO) recording medium comprises steps of: (a) providing a dual-sided magnetic or MO recording medium having first and second opposing side surfaces; (b) providing a first magnetic stamper/imprinter having a first topographically patterned imprinting surface comprising a plurality of projections and depressions arranged in a first pattern corresponding to a first magnetic transition pattern to be formed in the first side surface; (c) providing a second magnetic stamper/imprinter having a second topographically patterned imprinting surface comprising a plurality of projections and depressions arranged in a second pattern corresponding to a second magnetic transition pattern to be formed in the second side surface, the second magnetic stamper/imprinter being formed from the first magnetic stamper/imprinter in a “mother”/“son” relationship; (d) contacting the first side surface with th

Abstract: A high field contrast magnetic stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) recording media by contact printing, comprises: (a) a layer of a magnetic material having a high saturation magnetization Bsat?˜1.2 and high permeability ??˜5, including a first, topographically patterned surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first, topographically patterned surface comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, the topographical pattern corresponding to a magnetic pattern to be formed in a magnetic or MO recording medium; and (b) a layer of Ni on the second surface. A corrosion-resistant protective overcoat layer may be present on the topographically patterned surface. A method for manufacturing the stamper/imprinter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetic transition pattern in a longitudinal magnetic recording medium, comprising steps of: (a) providing a magnetic recording medium including a layer of a magnetic material having a surface comprised of a plurality of longitudinally extending magnetic domains; (b) contacting the surface of the layer of magnetic material with a topographically patterned imprinting surface of a stamper/imprinter formed of at least one high saturation magnetization, high permeability magnetic material; and (c) applying a unidirectional magnetic field perpendicular to the imprinting surface of the stamper/imprinter, the perpendicular magnetic field creating a longitudinal magnetic field component of sufficient strength to effect selective alignment of the magnetic domains of those portions of the layer of magnetic material which face the depressions of the imprinting surface while retaining the alignment of the magnetic domains of those portions of the layer of magnetic material which face the project

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 rotary apertured interferometric lithography (RAIL) system that includes interferometric lithography tools, a mask with a slit preferably with an arc shape, and a rotating stage is disclosed. The RAIL system could create a servo pattern of a recording-head trajectory of a hard disk drive in a master for magnetic-contact printing. The master can could be used to form arrays of sub-micron sized magnetic elements on a magnetic disk media for high-density magnetic recording applications.

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 for measuring servo pattern irregularity and other servo information of pre-patterned servo media mounted on a spindle with the center of the pre-pattern tracks off center from the axis rotation of the spindle. An actuator is stepped radially while measuring the PES signals from the servo sectors of at least one highly eccentric track to form a cross track profile of the PES signals for each sector. A mathematical algorithm removes step measurement error from the data. A second mathematical algorithm removes non-repeatable random noise from the data. The amount of phase-in that radially aligns the respective cross track profiles is computed. Servo pattern written-in repeatable runout is determined by unwrapping the phase-in values to form a periodic curve.