Abstract: A method of forming a uniform thickness layer of a selected material on a surface of a substrate comprises steps of: (a) providing a multi-stage cathode sputtering apparatus comprising a group of spaced-apart cathode/target assemblies and a means for transporting at least one substrate/workpiece past each cathode/target assembly, each cathode/target assembly comprising a sputtering surface oriented substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate during transport past the group of cathode/target assemblies, the group of cathode/target assemblies adapted for providing different angular sputtered film thickness profiles; and (b) transporting the substrate past each cathode/target assembly while providing different sputtered film thickness profiles from at least some of the cathode/target assemblies, such that a plurality of sub-layers is deposited on the surface of the substrate/workpiece which collectively form a uniform thickness layer of the selected material.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a seedlayer on the substrate and a magnetic underlayer on the seedlayer, the magnetic underlayer having an easy axis of magnetization substantially directed in a radial or transverse direction, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, an amorphous soft underlayer and a magnetic layer for perpendicular recording has reduced DC noise and surface roughness, which reduces the head-to-media spacing and the head-to-amorphous soft underlayer spacing.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate and a magnetic underlayer on the substrate, the magnetic underlayer having an easy axis of magnetization substantially directed in a radial or transverse direction, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium containing a B-2 structured ruthenium-aluminum underlayer comprising a (200) crystallographic orientation with a thickness from about 50 ? to about 800 ?, and a magnetic layer with a Co(11.0) crystallographic orientation, and a method of making the same are disclosed. The medium deposited on mechanically textured and surface-oxidized NiP film has a relatively high remanent coercivity and a relatively high signal to medium noise ratio even at low OR-Mrt.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium containing a niobium-containing seedlayer having a thickness from about 1 ? to about 40 ?, and a method of making the same. The seedlayer provides a recording media with relatively high remanent coercivity and relatively high signal to medium noise ratio.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a seedlayer on the substrate and a magnetic underlayer on the seedlayer, the magnetic underlayer having an easy axis of magnetization substantially directed in a radial or transverse direction, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: Laminated magnetic recording medium with two Co-containing layers separated by a non-magnetic interlayer is stablished by Ru-containing layers between the recording layers and Co-containing stablization layers through antiferromagnetic coupling.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a seedlayer on the substrate and a magnetic underlayer on the seedlayer, the magnetic underlayer having an easy axis of magnetization substantially directed in a radial or transverse direction, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A bi-crystal magnetic recording media, i.e., media with Cr(200) and Co(11.0) orientations, comprising non-metallic substrates, CrTi or NiPOx seed layers, B2-structured CoTi first underlayers, Cr-alloy second underlayers, and Co-alloy magnetic layers have high coercivity, high SMNR and high areal recording density.

Abstract: High areal density magnetic recording media exhibiting high magnetic performance, e.g., narrow PW50, and high OW, and high SNR, are formed with a NiAlRu seedlayer. Embodiments of the present invention include sputter depositing a NiAlRu seedlayer on a non-magnetic substrate and sequentially depositing thereon a Cr or Cr alloy underlayer, e.g., CrMo, CrMn, CrV or CrW, a magnetic layer, e.g., a Co—Cr-containing magnetic alloy layer, and a protective overcoat, e.g., a carbon-containing protective overcoat.

Abstract: Cleaning and inspecting a surface of the substrate comprises subjecting the surface to the output of a laser source for applying a cleaning energy to the surface and thereby remove contaminants on the surface. The laser source is used for inspecting the surface being cleaned and to measure the effect of the cleaning.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate and a magnetic underlayer on the substrate, the magnetic underlayer having an easy axis of magnetization substantially directed in a radial or transverse direction, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is provided with dual carbon-containing protective overcoats for high magnetic recording performance and high mechanical performance. Embodiments include a dual protective overcoat comprising an amorphous carbon layer on a magnetic layer and a nitrogenated carbon layer on the amorphous carbon layer.

Abstract: The Hr and SNR of a magnetic recording medium are increased and reduced recording signal modulation by employing an underlayer containing Cr or a Cr alloy with Ta2O5 dispersed therein. Embodiments include a composite underlayer comprising a first Cr or Cr alloy underlayer containing about 0.1 to about 10 at. % dispersed Ta2O5 and a second underlayer comprising Cr or a Cr alloy, e.g. CrV, thereon.

Abstract: High areal density magnetic recording media exhibiting high Hr and low medium noise are formed with a thin CoCrTa intermediate layer having a high Cr content, such as above 15 atomic % to about 20 atomic % Cr, e.g., about 16 to about 17 atomic % Cr. The high Cr content of the CoCrTa intermediate magnetic alloy layer provides a smooth lattice match transition for epitaxial growth of a magnetic layer thereon exhibiting high anisotropy, thereby achieving high Hr and high SNR. Embodiments include depositing the high Cr content CoCrTa intermediate layer at a thickness of about 5 to about 50 Å on a Cr-alloy underlayer.

Abstract: The Hr and SNR of a magnetic recording medium are increased and the signal pulse narrowed by employing an underlayer containing Cr or a Cr alloy with TiO2 dispersed therein. Embodiments include a composite underlayer comprising a first Cr or Cr alloy underlayer containing about 0.1 to about 10 at. % dispersed TiO2 and a second underlayer comprising Cr or a Cr alloy, e.g. CrV, thereon.

Abstract: A high areal density magnetic recording medium exhibiting high remanent coercivity and high coercivity squareness is formed with a thin CoCrTa intermediate layer to provide appropriate crystalline orientation and surface morphology for nucleation and growth of a magnetic layer thereon. The present invention also enables the use of lower substrate heating temperatures during deposition. Embodiments include depositing an intermediate Co alloy layer comprising about 10 up to about 15 atomic % Cr and about 1 to about 6 atomic % Ta at a thickness of about 1.5 to about 150 .ANG..

Abstract: The Hr and SNR of a magnetic recording medium are increased by employing an underlayer containing Cr or a Cr alloy with HfO.sub.2 or ZrO.sub.2 dispersed therein. Embodiments include a composite underlayer comprising a first Cr or Cr alloy underlayer containing about 0.1 to about 20 at. % dispersed HfO.sub.2 or ZrO.sub.2 and a second underlayer comprising Cr or a Cr alloy, e.g. CrV, thereon.

Abstract: Simultaneous crystallographic orientation and grain size refinement of the magnetic layer are achieved by depositing a grain size control layer on a underlayer. Embodiments include depositing a CrV grain size control layer on a Cr underlayer at thickness ratio of underlayer to grain size control layer of about 0.5 to about 2. Magnetic layers having a grain size of about 100 .ANG. to about 250 .ANG., e.g. at 180 .ANG. to about 220 .ANG., are achieved.