Abstract: Provided is a foreign matter inspection method for positively detecting a foreign matter in the neighborhood of the edge of a mirror-finished substrate without fail. Edge-emphasis and binarization are performed following the taking of an image of a substrate-under-inspection at a contour of its inspection area, to further detect a plurality of sampling points representative of a contour of the inspection area. An estimated inspection area is determined by determining the size, position and rotation angle of contour lines defined, size-reducibly, from the coordinates of the plurality of sampling points. After applying a mask to the binary image data in an area other than the estimated inspection area, a foreign-matter detection step is performed.

Abstract: Provided is a foreign matter inspection method for positively detecting a foreign matter in the neighborhood of the edge of a mirror-finished substrate without fail. Edge-emphasis and binarization are performed following the taking of an image of a substrate-under-inspection at a contour of its inspection area, to further detect a plurality of sampling points representative of a contour of the inspection area. An estimated inspection area is determined by determining the size, position and rotation angle of contour lines defined, size-reducibly, from the coordinates of the plurality of sampling points. After applying a mask to the binary image data in an area other than the estimated inspection area, a foreign-matter detection step is performed.

Abstract: A cleaning method preventing foreign matter attached to a brush from being transferred back to a magnetic transfer carrier by removing foreign matter attached to a cleaning tool such as the brush with a dummy carrier having a recess equivalent to that on a surface of the magnetic transfer carrier.

Abstract: A master information carrier capable of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium in which a preformat recording of information signals causing no reproduction signal detection errors arising from a pulse shift of a reproduction waveform is performed. A master information carrier 1 has an array of ferromagnetic thin films 3 arranged according to the pattern of information signals and is used for forming magnetization 4 of a pattern corresponding to the array pattern of the ferromagnetic thin film 3 in a magnetic recording medium by applying a magnetic field while opposing the master information carrier 1 against a magnetic recording medium 2. Each of the ferromagnetic thin films 3 is formed such that each pattern length A becomes equal to a length including a correction amount ? in addition to a length a between magnetic transition areas 6 of the magnetization 4 to be formed in the magnetic recording medium 2.

Abstract: A master information carrier capable of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium in which a preformat recording of information signals causing no reproduction signal detection errors arising from a pulse shift of a reproduction waveform is performed. A master information carrier 1 has an array of ferromagnetic thin films 3 arranged according to the pattern of information signals and is used for forming magnetization 4 of a pattern corresponding to the array pattern of the ferromagnetic thin film 3 in a magnetic recording medium by applying a magnetic field while opposing the master information carrier 1 against a magnetic recording medium 2. Each of the ferromagnetic thin films 3 is formed such that each pattern length A becomes equal to a length including a correction amount ? in addition to a length a between magnetic transition areas 6 of the magnetization 4 to be formed in the magnetic recording medium 2.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method for a magnetic recording medium, when the length of a ferromagnetic thin film on a master information carrier corresponding to the length between a pair of magnetization transition regions adjacent to each other is A in magnetization information recorded onto a magnetic recording medium, the film thickness of the ferromagnetic thin film is t and A/t is k, k is set from not less than 0.8 to not more than 8.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method includes a first step (ST103) of preparing a magnetic disk, a second step (ST105) of forming a layer of lubricant on the magnetic disk, a third step (ST108) of bringing a surface of the magnetic layer on the magnetic disk into close contact with a magnetic transfer master having a magnetic film formed on at least one side and magnetically transferring a pattern of the magnetic film on the magnetic transfer master onto the surface of the magnetic disk through application of an external magnetic field, and a fourth step (ST104, ST106) of burnishing at least a surface of the magnetic disk that comes into contact with the magnetic transfer master. The first step, the fourth step, the second step, the fourth step, and the third step are performed in the stated order.

Abstract: Within a casing accommodating members for performing magnetic transfer of signals from one medium to another, a plurality of suction ports are fixedly disposed at various locations. Resin tubes connect the suction ports to respective particle counters for the measurement of particles at each location, whereby the source of particles is locatable.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method includes a first step (ST103) of preparing a magnetic disk, a second step (ST105) of forming a layer of lubricant on the magnetic disk, a third step (ST108) of bringing a surface of the magnetic layer on the magnetic disk into close contact with a magnetic transfer master having a magnetic film formed on at least one side and magnetically transferring a pattern of the magnetic film on the magnetic transfer master onto the surface of the magnetic disk through application of an external magnetic field, and a fourth step (ST104, ST106) of burnishing at least a surface of the magnetic disk that comes into contact with the magnetic transfer master. The first step, the fourth step, the second step, the fourth step, and the third step are performed in the stated order.

Abstract: The master information recording apparatus 100 includes a master information carrier, a master information carrier facing member, and a magnetic field applying member. A ferromagnetic thin film pattern formed on the surface of the master information carrier includes not less than two kinds of different patterns each having a different pattern angle showing an angle with respect to the direction of the relative movement between a magnetic head and a rotating magnetic recording medium. The magnetic field applying unit applies a magnetic field along the direction, which is perpendicular to the direction shown by an angle that is smaller than the pattern angle of the maximum pattern and larger than the minimum pattern angle of the pattern among the not less than two kinds of patterns.

Abstract: A master information carrier with excellent durability is provided, for the use of static and a real lump-sum recording of digital information signals on magnetic recording medium. The master information carrier comprises a non-magnetic substrate on which a ferromagnetic film is disposed with an embossed pattern. Protrusions of the embossed pattern correspond to a disposition of the digital information signals. Recessed portions of the embossed pattern of the ferromagnetic film are filled with non-magnetic solid material. Alternately, A non-magnetic substrate has an embossed pattern and recessed portions of the embossed pattern correspond to a disposition of the digital information signals. A ferromagnetic film is filled in the recessed portions of the embossed pattern.

Abstract: A master disc capable of conducting a preformat recording by a magnetic transcription without causing any unevenness over an entire magnetic disc is provided. The master disc is provided with a radial land portion where an array of ferromagnetic thin films is formed and a concave portion against the land portion. The land portion and the concave portion are formed such that the land portion is joined with the surface of the magnetic disc when the present magnetic disc is overlapped on the magnetic disc, and that the concave portion is not contacted with the surface of the magnetic disc, and also that a space surrounded by the surface of the magnetic disc and the concave portion is open to air at a peripheral end portion of the magnetic disc.

Abstract: Instead of directly performing defect inspection using a master information carrier, an inspection substrate is prepared to then bring the master information carrier in close contact therewith, to thereby transfer a defect on the master information carrier to the inspection substrate, thus indirectly inspecting any defect of the master information carrier on the inspection substrate. Defect inspection is performed on the first-state inspection substrate before close contacting, so that a defect inspection result on the second-state inspection substrate after close contacting and that on the first-state inspection substrate are compared to each other.

Abstract: A master information carrier capable of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium in which a preformat recording of information signals causing no reproduction signal detection errors arising from a pulse shift of a reproduction waveform is performed. A master information carrier 1 has an array of ferromagnetic thin films 3 arranged according to the pattern of information signals and is used for forming magnetization 4 of a pattern corresponding to the array pattern of the ferromagnetic thin film 3 in a magnetic recording medium by applying a magnetic field while opposing the master information carrier 1 against a magnetic recording medium 2. Each of the ferromagnetic thin films 3 is formed such that each pattern length A becomes equal to a length including a correction amount a in addition to a length a between magnetic transition areas 6 of the magnetization 4 to be formed in the magnetic recording medium 2.

Abstract: The data row Pw(i) of phase information obtained by reading preformatted phase patterns on an information recording medium by the head consists of the remainders obtained by dividing the data row of the phase information indicating the original track location by 2&pgr;.

Abstract: A magnetic transcription device for transcribing information signals of a master information carrier in a magnetic recording medium by applying a magnetic field generated by magnetic field generating means to a contact body obtained by contacting the master information carrier having a base on which ferromagnetic bodies corresponding to the information signals are formed with a magnetic recording medium having a ferromagnetic layer, wherein the magnetic recording medium includes driving means for adjusting a distance between the magnetic field generating means and the contact body while rotating the magnetic field generating means relative to the contact body.

Abstract: A master information carrier is made to overlap with a magnetic recording medium being a magnetic recording medium in an adhering state, and a pattern corresponding to information signals on the master information carrier is transferred to the magnetic recording medium, thereby magnetically transferring a magnetized pattern of information signals to the magnetic recording medium. Thereafter, an urging force to the magnetic recording medium side is applied to the master information carrier, and in the urging force applied state, a gas under pressure is supplied on the adhering/joining surfaces of the master information carrier and the magnetic recording medium, thereby releasing the adhering state of the master information carrier and the magnetic recording medium. Then, the application of the urging force is released to continue the supply of the gas under pressure, thereby pulling away the master information carrier from the magnetic recording medium and moving them.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method includes a first step (ST103) of preparing a magnetic disk, a second step (ST105) of forming a layer of lubricant on the magnetic disk, a third step (ST108) of bringing a surface of the magnetic layer on the magnetic disk into close contact with a magnetic transfer master having a magnetic film formed on at least one side and magnetically transferring a pattern of the magnetic film on the magnetic transfer master onto the surface of the magnetic disk through application of an external magnetic field, and a fourth step (ST104, ST106) of burnishing at least a surface of the magnetic disk that comes into contact with the magnetic transfer master. The first step, the fourth step, the second step, the fourth step, and the third step are performed in the stated order.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method includes a first step (ST103) of preparing a magnetic disk, a second step (ST105) of forming a layer of lubricant on the magnetic disk, a third step (ST108) of bringing a surface of the magnetic layer on the magnetic disk into close contact with a magnetic transfer master having a magnetic film formed on at least one side and magnetically transferring a pattern of the magnetic film on the magnetic transfer master onto the surface of the magnetic disk through application of an external magnetic field, and a fourth step (ST104, ST106) of burnishing at least a surface of the magnetic disk that comes into contact with the magnetic transfer master. The first step, the fourth step, the second step, the fourth step, and the third step are performed in the stated order.

Abstract: Surface of a transfer disk for performing magnetic transfer is repeatedly contacted or separated relative to a cleaning disk having a smaller hardness than the surface, thereby removing a foreign matter on the surface of the transfer disk.