Abstract: A stamper/imprinter for use in forming a magnetic transition pattern in a magnetic material by means of contact printing, comprising: (a) a non-magnetic substrate having a major surface comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, the patterned plurality of recesses corresponding to the magnetic transition pattern to be formed in the magnetic material; and (b) unidirectionally permanently magnetized material filling each of the plurality of recesses and having exposed surfaces substantially coplanar with the plurality of non-recessed areas.

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: 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 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: 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 stamper/imprinter for use in forming a magnetic transition pattern in a magnetic material by means of contact printing, comprising: (a) a non-magnetic substrate having a major surface comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, the patterned plurality of recesses corresponding to the magnetic transition pattern to be formed in the magnetic material; and (b) unidirectionally permanently magnetized material filling each of the plurality of recesses and having exposed surfaces substantially coplanar with the plurality of non-recessed areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of writing multiple radial locations during a single rotation by deflection and modulation of a recording beam, employs an electron beam with a width that is narrower than a radial width of the exposure pattern. Instead of employing multiple exposure passes, with each offset from the other by a certain radial distance, the apparatus performs the write of the pattern in a single pass. During this single pass, controlled by a single rotation of the turntable on which the disk recording medium is located, the electron beam is deflected in a radial direction by a required amount and modulated in synchronization with the radial deflection. This synchronization of the beam modulation with the beam deflection allows a plurality of tracks to be written or exposed in a single pass.

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 magnetic recording disc is provided according to the present invention for magnetic recording. The magnetic recording disc includes a disc substrate having a locking pattern etched therein. Chemically synthesized iron-platinum particles are provided in the locking pattern and completely fill the locking pattern. The chemically synthesized iron-platinum nanoparticles exhibit short-range order characteristics forming self organized magnetic arrays.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an electron beam substrate processing system. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an electron beam substrate processing system where a spindle shaft used to rotate substrates during processing includes two encoder wheels. One encoder wheel is configured to provide a rotational speed data signal to a rotational speed control system. Another encoder wheel is configured to provide a pattern generator clock signal at a higher frequency than the rotational speed data signal to a pattern generator. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the encoder wheels is positioned adjacent the substrate to minimize torsional and differential movements between the at least one encoder wheel and the substrate.

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 method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium comprises steps of providing a non-magnetic substrate for a magnetic recording medium, the substrate including at least one major surface; forming a layer of a sol-gel on the at least one major surface; forming a pattern, e.g., a servo pattern in an exposed surface of the layer of said sol-gel; and converting the layer of sol-gel to a glass or glass-like layer while preserving the pattern in an exposed surface of said glass or glass-like layer. Embodiments of the invention include magnetic media including a patterned glass or glass-like layer formed from a layer of a hydrophilic sol-gel with the pattern embossed therein by means of a stamper having a hydrophilic surface including a negative image of the pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a light source substrate processing system. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a spindle motor coupled to a substrate support member. A light source assembly is supported above a substrate disposed on the substrate support member. In another embodiment, the light source assembly includes a movable optical assembly disposed between a pair of light sources and the substrate support member to focus a pair of light beams onto a portion of the substrate surface. Each of the light beams has a different wavelength. The optical assembly includes a plurality of lenses configured to adjust the focal plane of each light beam such that their focal points about converge on a substrate surface location. The focal points of the two light beams about coincide with various movements of at least a portion of the optical assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an electron beam substrate processing system. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an electron beam substrate processing system where a spindle shaft used to rotate substrates during processing includes two encoder wheels. One encoder wheel is configured to provide a rotational speed data signal to a rotational speed control system. Another encoder wheel is configured to provide a pattern generator clock signal at a higher frequency than the rotational speed data signal to a pattern generator. In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the encoder wheels is positioned adjacent the substrate to minimize torsional and differential movements between the at least one encoder wheel and the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an electron beam substrate processing system. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an electron beam substrate processing system where a spindle shaft used to rotate substrates during processing includes at least one optical encoder wheel assembly. The optical encoder wheel assembly is configured to provide rotational speed data signal to a rotational speed control system and a pattern generation clock circuit configured to a provide a corrected pattern generator clock signal to a pattern generator circuit. The pattern generation circuit is used to control modulation of an electron beam used for substrate processing. In one aspect of the present invention, repeatable deviations of the rotational speed are measured and processed during substrate processing to correct for such repeatable deviations to increase substrate pattern writing accuracy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium including a servo pattern, comprising steps of: (a) providing a non-magnetic substrate including at least one major surface; (b) providing a stamper having a surface with a plurality of recesses forming a negative image of a servo pattern; (c) forming a layer of a partially dried sol-gel material having a first surface in conformal contact with the recess-patterned surface of the stamper and an exposed second surface opposite the first surface; (d) urging the major surface of the substrate into contact with the exposed second surface of the sol-gel layer; (e) removing the stamper from contact with the layer of sol-gel material to expose the recess-patterned surface thereof; (f) converting the partially dried sol-gel layer to a glass-like layer while preserving the recess pattern in the surface thereof; and (f) forming on the recess-patterned surface a laminate of layers constituting a servo-patterned magnetic recording medium.

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: Hard disk servo data is recorded on a stamper master or a hard disk with a timing offset that converts the arc described by the servo data writer's rotary actuator into the arc described by the disk drive's rotary actuator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide an electron beam substrate processing system. In one embodiment, the present invention provides an electron beam substrate processing system where a spindle shaft used to rotate substrates during processing includes at least one optical encoder wheel assembly. The optical encoder wheel assembly is configured to provide rotational speed data signal to a rotational speed control system and a pattern generation clock circuit configured to a provide an angular pattern generator clock signal and to a pattern generator circuit. The pattern generation circuit is configured to control modulation of an electron beam used for substrate processing. In one aspect of the present invention, while the spindle shaft is rotated at a constant linear velocity, the pattern generation circuit controls the modulation of an electron beam such that written mark lengths are sized to be about constant in angular dimension.