Abstract: A high areal recording density, perpendicular magnetic recording medium, comprises: (a) a non-magnetic substrate having a surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack comprising, in overlying sequence from the substrate surface: (b) a soft ferromagnetic “keeper” or underlayer; (c) an anti-ferromagnetic coupling layer structure; and (d) a hard ferromagnetic perpendicular recording layer including a multilayer magnetic superlattice structure; wherein layers (b), (c), and (d) in stacked combination provide the medium with improved thermal stability and a high perpendicular coercivity which can exceed about 6,500 Oe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the air-bearing surface of a disc drive slider are disclosed. The surface is exposed to an oxidizing gas while being irradiated with light. In an illustrative embodiment, the oxidizing gas employed is ozone and the surface is irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A substrate for ultra high-density GMR recording is produced by patterning a solgel layer on the substrate. The resulting recording medium is capable of providing a controlled movement of the head on the substrate of a magnetic disk and exhibits improved flying stability, glide performance, reliability, tribology and long term durability for providing zero glide hits.

Abstract: Very low glide height magneto-optical (LGMO) information storage and retrieval media of near field recording (NFR) and mahnetic super-resolution (MSR) types having improved tribological properties when used in ultra-high density storage/retrieval devices employing very small head flying heights on the order of less than about 2 microinches are formed in a front surface magneto-optical (FSMO) configuration utilizing a substrate having at least one deposition surface subjected to a two-step, synergistic treatment comprising tape burnishing/wiping and photolytic treatment in an ozone-containing atmosphere, followed by deposition thereon of the MO layer stack. Enhanced wear and abrasion resistance at very low flying head heights is provided by an ultra-thin, protective flash layer overcoat (FLO)/lubricant topcoat layer system on the media surface. Embodiments of the present invention include single- and dual-sided MO media.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing random scratches formed during the polishing of magnetic recording media, and for disposing on the surface of the media a near-circumferential texture which increases the recording reliability of the media while simultaneously reducing its failure rate. The present invention teaches the application of a low unit load force to a pad and polishing tape combination in contact with a rotating and oscillating disk surface to completely remove the random scratches previously formed by a polishing step. The apparatus facilitates the application of a specially designed, extremely fine alumina slurry composition without producing similar size circumferential scratches at the high surface speeds.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing random scratches formed during the polishing of magnetic recording media, and for disposing on the surface of the media a near-circumferential texture which increases the recording reliability of the media while simultaneously reducing its failure rate. The present invention teaches the application of a low unit load force to a pad and polishing tape combination in contact with a rotating and oscillating disk surface to completely remove the random scratches previously formed by a polishing step. The apparatus facilitates the application of a specially designed, extremely fine alumina slurry composition without producing similar size circumferential scratches at the high surface speeds.

Abstract: Method for removing random scratches formed during the polishing of magnetic recording media, and for disposing on the surface of the media a near-circumferential texture which increases the recording reliability of the media while simultaneously reducing its failure rate. The present invention teaches the application of a low unit load force to a large surface pad and polishing tape combination while in contact with a rotating disk surface that is also moving in a circumferential direction to completely remove the random scratches previously formed by a polishing step. The scratches are removed with the aid of a specially designed, extremely fine alumina slurry composition which prevent producing similar size circumferential scratches at the high surface speeds. The methodology provides for a smoother disk surface than prior known super-polish/texture methodologies.