Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a manufacturing method that can form a track guide separation area of a magnetic disk substrate constituting a patterned medium represented by a discrete track medium or bit patterned medium suitable for high recording density, uniformly on the whole surface of the magnetic disk substrate, and accurately according to the mask. According to one embodiment, a soft magnetic film, an under coating film, and a magnetic film are formed on a substrate. A mask having an arbitrary pattern shape provided for forming the track guide separation area in the magnetic film is formed on the magnetic film, and the track guide separation area is formed by irradiating ions and electrons onto the surface of the magnetic film and applying an intermittent voltage to the substrate, thereby non-magnetizing the area irradiated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a magnetic recording medium includes forming a protective layer above recording regions of a patterned magnetic recording layer and separating regions between the recording regions, wherein the protective layer forms on sides of the recording regions and partially fills the separating regions, and forming a filler layer on the protective layer, wherein the filler layer completely fills the separating regions, wherein the filler layer has an uneven upper surface. In another embodiment, a medium includes a patterned magnetic recording layer, a protective layer above the patterned magnetic recording layer and on sides of the patterned magnetic recording layer, and a filler layer positioned between the patterned magnetic recording layer in separating regions, wherein DLC of the filler layer is a lower density than DLC of the protective layer. Other systems and methods are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a patterned magnetic recording layer above a substrate, the patterned magnetic recording layer including recording regions and separating regions for separating the recording regions and a non-magnetic alloy layer positioned in the separating regions, wherein the non-magnetic alloy layer includes Ti. In another embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic recording medium includes forming separating regions in a magnetic recording layer by removing portions of the magnetic layer, wherein the separating regions separate recording regions in the magnetic layer, and depositing a non-magnetic alloy layer in the separating regions. Other media and methods are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes forming a lubricant film on a magnetic disk having at least a magnetic recording film above a substrate, and a protective film above the magnetic recording film, and wiping the lubricant film while rotating the substrate, e.g., at about 3.0 m/s to about 3.5 m/s by pressing a pad against a wiping cloth e.g., at a loading speed of about 12 mm/min to about 36 mm/min e.g., under a pressure of about 3 gf/mm2 to about 9 gf/mm2. The pad has a convexly curved surface in contact with the wiping cloth, and the wiping cloth is disposed so as to oppose the lubricant film. The method also includes pressing a cleaning tape which includes abrasive grains against the substrate on which the protective film and lubricant film are formed while rotating the substrate to remove protrusions. Apparatuses and forming the layers are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention produce discrete track media and bit patterned media having both excellent read/write performance and reliability. According to one embodiment, the medium comprises a magnetic layers formed by at least two ferromagnetic alloy layers with different compositions on a substrate. The ferromagnetic alloy layer located closest to the medium surface has more concentrated parts and less concentrated parts of nonmagnetic element in the in-plane direction. The more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element contain more nonmagnetic elements than the other parts except for an intermediate layer in the magnetic recording layer. The more concentrated parts and the less concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the ferromagnetic alloy layer located closest to the medium surface are formed substantially concentric. The more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element is formed by being doped with ions of nonmagnetic element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide recording area separated magnetic recording media (DTMs, BPMs) allowing magnetic heads to fly lower. According to one embodiment, the recording area separated magnetic recording media are configured so that magnetic recording layers have parts with the relatively higher element ratio of a ferromagnetic material, and parts with the lower element ratio of the ferromagnetic material, occurring periodically in the in-plane direction, and the average height from the substrate surface of the parts with the relatively higher element ratio of a ferromagnetic material is higher than the average height from the substrate surface of the parts with the lower element ratio of the ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to produce discrete track media and bit patterned media having both excellent recording and reproducing performance and reliability. According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method forms a nonmagnetic layer mainly composed of the same element as a nonmagnetic element contained in magnetic recording layers and on the magnetic recording layers and a mask layer having apertures for forming more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layers on the nonmagnetic layer. The method implants ions of the nonmagnetic element through the nonmagnetic layer masked by the mask layer to form the more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for forming a magnetic recording medium includes forming a protective layer above reading regions of a patterned magnetic recording layer and separating regions between the recording regions, wherein the protective layer forms on sides of the recording regions and partially fills the separating regions, and forming a filler layer on the protective layer, wherein the filler layer completely fills the separating regions, wherein the filler layer has an uneven upper surface. In another embodiment, a medium includes a patterned magnetic recording layer, a protective layer above the patterned magnetic recording layer and on sides of the patterned magnetic recording layer, and a filler layer positioned between the patterned magnetic recording layer in separating regions, wherein DLC of the filler layer is a lower density than DLC of the protective layer. Other systems and methods are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a patterned magnetic recording layer above a substrate, the patterned magnetic recording layer including recording regions and separating regions for separating the recording regions and a non-magnetic alloy layer positioned in the separating regions, wherein the non-magnetic alloy layer includes Ti. In another embodiment, a method for producing a magnetic recording medium includes forming separating regions in a magnetic recording layer by removing portions of the magnetic layer, wherein the separating regions separate recording regions in the magnetic layer, and depositing a non-magnetic alloy layer in the separating regions. Other media and methods are described according to more embodiments.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a magnetic recording medium superior in terms magnetic head flying performance, abrasion resistant reliability and corrosion resistance and a method for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, comprising forming at least an adhesion layer, a soft magnetic layer, a granular magnetic film and a diamond-like carbon (DLC) protective film on a nonmagnetic substrate. While the DLC protective film layer to protect the granular magnetic layer of the magnetic recording medium is formed, hydrocarbon gas is mixed with hydrogen gas and a bias voltage is applied to the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to improve corrosion resistance and durability by providing a functional diamond like carbon (DLC) protective layer for a perpendicular magnetic recording medium using a granular magnetic layer. According to one embodiment, when a DLC protective layer that protects a granular magnetic layer of a perpendicular magnetic recording medium is formed using a CVD method, the thickness of a first layer on the granular magnetic layer is set to 7.5 to 25% of the total thickness of the protective layer and a hydrogen content of the first layer is set to 33 to 38%, the thickness of a second layer is set to 50 to 85% of the total thickness of the protective layer and a nitrogen content of the second layer is set to 3 to 7%, and the thickness of a third layer located at the outermost side of the protective layer is set to 7.5 to 25% of the total thickness of the protective layer and a hydrogen content of the third layer is set to 25% or less.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer formed above a substrate, the magnetic recording layer being comprised of an alloy having a crystal structure, recording tracks formed on the magnetic recording layer in nearly concentric circular shapes, wherein the recording tracks are comprised of a first alloy composition having a crystal structure, and track separation regions formed between the recording tracks on the magnetic recording layer, wherein the track separation regions are comprised of a second alloy composition having a crystal structure, the second alloy composition comprising the first alloy composition and a non-magnetic element, wherein a lattice constant of the second alloy composition is greater than a lattice constant of the first alloy composition. In other embodiments, methods of manufacturing magnetic recording media and systems using magnetic recording media are described.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium with a granular magnetic recording layer excellent in corrosion resistance is provided. In one embodiment, after formation of, on a non-magnetic substrate, an NiTa adhesion layer, a soft magnetic layer, a Ta intermediate layer, an Ru intermediate layer, and a Co alloy granular magnetic recording layer, hydrogen (H2) plasma processing is applied to the surface of the Co alloy granular magnetic recording layer. Then, a DLC protective film layer is formed and a lubricant layer is coated.

Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes forming a lubricant film on a magnetic disk having at least a magnetic recording film above a substrate, and a protective film above the magnetic recording film, and wiping the lubricant film while rotating the substrate, e.g., at about 3.0 m/s to about 3.5 m/s by pressing a pad against a wiping cloth e.g., at a loading speed of about 12 mm/min to about 36 mm/min e.g., under a pressure of about 3 gf/mm2 to about 9 gf/mm2. The pad has a convexly curved surface in contact with the wiping cloth, and the wiping cloth is disposed so as to oppose the lubricant film. The method also includes pressing a cleaning tape which includes abrasive grains against the substrate on which the protective film and lubricant film are formed while rotating the substrate to remove protrusions. Apparatuses and forming the layers are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide recording area separated magnetic recording media (DTMs, BPMs) allowing magnetic heads to fly lower. According to one embodiment, the recording area separated magnetic recording media are configured so that magnetic recording layers have parts with the relatively higher element ratio of a ferromagnetic material, and parts with the lower element ratio of the ferromagnetic material, occurring periodically in the in-plane direction, and the average height from the substrate surface of the parts with the relatively higher element ratio of a ferromagnetic material is higher than the average height from the substrate surface of the parts with the lower element ratio of the ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to produce discrete track media and bit patterned media having both excellent recording and reproducing performance and reliability. According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method forms a nonmagnetic layer mainly composed of the same element as a nonmagnetic element contained in magnetic recording layers and on the magnetic recording layers and a mask layer having apertures for forming more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layers on the nonmagnetic layer. The method implants ions of the nonmagnetic element through the nonmagnetic layer masked by the mask layer to form the more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention produce discrete track media and bit patterned media having both excellent read/write performance and reliability. According to one embodiment, the medium comprises a magnetic layers formed by at least two ferromagnetic alloy layers with different compositions on a substrate. The ferromagnetic alloy layer located closest to the medium surface has more concentrated parts and less concentrated parts of nonmagnetic element in the in-plane direction. The more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element contain more nonmagnetic elements than the other parts except for an intermediate layer in the magnetic recording layer. The more concentrated parts and the less concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element in the ferromagnetic alloy layer located closest to the medium surface are formed substantially concentric. The more concentrated parts of the nonmagnetic element is formed by being doped with ions of nonmagnetic element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a manufacturing method that can form a track guide separation area of a magnetic disk substrate constituting a patterned medium represented by a discrete track medium or bit patterned medium suitable for high recording density, uniformly on the whole surface of the magnetic disk substrate, and accurately according to the mask. According to one embodiment, a soft magnetic film, an under coating film, and a magnetic film are formed on a substrate. A mask having an arbitrary pattern shape provided for forming the track guide separation area in the magnetic film is formed on the magnetic film, and the track guide separation area is formed by irradiating ions and electrons onto the surface of the magnetic film and applying an intermittent voltage to the substrate, thereby non-magnetizing the area irradiated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to improve corrosion resistance and durability by providing a functional diamond like carbon (DLC) protective layer for a perpendicular magnetic recording medium using a granular magnetic layer. According to one embodiment, when a DLC protective layer that protects a granular magnetic layer of a perpendicular magnetic recording medium is formed using a CVD method, the thickness of a first layer on the granular magnetic layer is set to 7.5 to 25% of the total thickness of the protective layer and a hydrogen content of the first layer is set to 33 to 38%, the thickness of a second layer is set to 50 to 85% of the total thickness of the protective layer and a nitrogen content of the second layer is set to 3 to 7%, and the thickness of a third layer located at the outermost side of the protective layer is set to 7.5 to 25% of the total thickness of the protective layer and a hydrogen content of the third layer is set to 25% or less.

Abstract: This magnetic recording medium is characterized in that in the magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer on a non-magnetic substrate by intercalating at least an under layer, the proportion of functional groups per 100 carbon atoms in a diamond-like carbon protective layer mainly composed of carbon for protecting the magnetic layer exceeds 20%. The bonding force between the protective layer and the lubricating layer of the magnetic recording medium is increased so that under high speed rotation, a decrease in the lubricating layer is not caused so as to provide a magnetic recording apparatus having high reliability.