Abstract: To provide a filmy structure of a nanometer size having a phase-separated structure effective for the case where a compound can be formed between two kinds of materials. A structure constituted by a first member containing a compound between an element A except both Si and Ge and SinGe1-n (where 0?n?1) and a second member containing one of the element A and SinGe1-n (where 0?n?1), in which one of the first member and the second member is a columnar member, formed on a substrate, whose side face is surrounded by the other member, the ratio Dl/Ds of an average diameter Dl in the major axis direction to an average diameter Ds in the minor axis direction of a transverse sectional shape of the columnar member is less than 5, and the element A is one of Li, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Cs, Ba, La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and B.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic write head that has a trailing magnetic shield with a tapered write pole trailing edge, a non-magnetic step layer and a Ru bump and an alumina bump formed at the front of the non-magnetic step layer. The process forms a Ru/alumina side wall at the sides of the write pole, such that the Ru side wall is closest to the write pole. The Ru is removed more readily than the alumina during the ion milling that is performed to taper the write pole. This causes the Ru portion of the side wall to taper away from the write pole rather than forming an abrupt step. This tapering prevents dishing of the trailing edge of the write pole for improved write head performance.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a magnetic recording medium is provided including a disk-shaped non-magnetic substrate and at least a perpendicular magnetic layer formed on the disk-shaped non-magnetic substrate, wherein the perpendicular magnetic layer has a structure in which an FePt or CoPt nanoparticle array is formed on a formation surface, on which a plurality of striations each having a circumferential directional component are formed, by a texturing treatment; a manufacturing method thereof; and a magnetic record/reproduction apparatus including the magnetic recording medium or a magnetic recording medium manufactured according to the manufacturing method.

Abstract: Microspheres, populations of microspheres, and methods for forming microspheres are provided. One microsphere configured to exhibit fluorescent and magnetic properties includes a core microsphere and a magnetic material coupled to a surface of the core microsphere. About 50% or less of the surface of the core microsphere is covered by the magnetic material. The microsphere also includes a polymer layer surrounding the magnetic material and the core microsphere. One population of microspheres configured to exhibit fluorescent and magnetic properties includes two or more subsets of microspheres. The two or more subsets of microspheres are configured to exhibit different fluorescent and/or magnetic properties. Individual microspheres in the two or more subsets are configured as described above.

Abstract: A magnetic material comprises a fibre matrix. The fibres of the matrix have a coating of a magnetic metal or alloy and magnetic particles are bonded to the matrix. The fibres of the matrix preferably have a core of carbon fibre.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes the steps of forming an intermediate layer that is electrically conductive over a non-magnetic substrate; forming an aluminum-containing layer on the intermediate layer; forming a plurality of micro pits in the aluminum-containing layer; generating an alumina-containing layer by anode oxidation of the aluminum-containing layer and simultaneously forming a plurality of nano holes in the alumina-containing layer originating from the plurality of micro pits respectively to expose the intermediate layer; cleaning and drying the plurality of nano holes using a fluid selected from the group consisting of a sub- and super-critical carbon dioxide fluid; and depositing a magnetic metal selectively through the plurality of nano holes on the intermediate layer to form a plurality of magnetic recording elements that collectively form a magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium in a shape of a disk includes forming convex sections repeating on the upper surface of an intermediate layer in the radial direction of the disk, and each having an upper surface that repulses magnetic particles; and filling the magnetic particles into concave sections sandwiched by the convex sections in a self-assembling way to form a magnetic recording layer with the magnetic particles.

Abstract: A spin toque transfer magnetic random access memory (STTMRAM) element and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed having a free sub-layer structure with enhanced internal stiffness. A first free sub-layer is deposited, the first free sub-layer being made partially of boron (B), annealing is performed of the STTMRAM element at a first temperature after depositing the first free sub-layer to reduce the B content at an interface between the first free sub-layer and the barrier layer, the annealing causing a second free sub-layer to be formed on top of the first free sub-layer and being made partially of B, the amount of B of the second free sub-layer being greater than the amount of B in the first free sub-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: A magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole, a shield having an end face located in a medium facing surface to wrap around an end face of the main magnetic pole, and a gap part provided between the main magnetic pole and the shield. The shield includes a bottom shield, two side shields, and a top shield. The gap part includes first and second gap layers. In a manufacturing method of the magnetic head, a mold is formed on the top surface of the bottom shield, the mold having a shape determined by photolithography and being intended to be removed later. Next, the two side shields are formed on the top surface of the bottom shield by performing plating without forming a seed layer. Next, the mold is removed and then the first gap layer, the main magnetic pole, the second gap layer, and the top shield are formed in succession.

Abstract: A magneto-resistance element is provided. The magneto-resistance element includes an underlying layer including a main metal selected from electrically conductive metals and an auxiliary metal selected from transition metals, a first magnetic layer stacked on the underlying layer, an insulation layer stacked on the first magnetic layer, and a second magnetic layer stacked on the insulation layer.

Abstract: A bit patterned media (BPM) includes many magnetic dots arranged in tracks on a substrate. The magnetic dots each have a hard magnetic core, a soft magnetic cladding surrounding the core and a thin non-magnetic layer that separates the hard magnetic core from the soft magnetic ring. The soft magnetic cladding stabilizes the magnetization at the edges of the hard magnetic core to improve the signal to noise ratio of the magnetic dots. The soft magnetic rings also narrow the magnetic field of the dots which reduces the space requirements and allows more dots to be placed on the substrate.

Abstract: A magnetic nanosilicon material comprising silicon nanoparticles impregnated with magnetic atoms. This magnetic nanosilicon material has both luminescent and magnetic properties. In certain embodiments of the invention, magnetic nanosilicon material is encapsulated in a polymer or silica sphere to provide a supermolecule. Supermolecules can be used in applications such as but not limited to detection and imaging.

Abstract: An aqueous nickel phosphorus tin alloy electroless plating bath and process for depositing a nickel phosphorus tin alloy onto a substrate, particularly an aluminum substrate for memory disk applications, wherein the nickel phosphorus tin alloy deposit provides enhanced thermal stability, as defined by the inhibition of crystallization and suppression of magnetization upon high temperature annealing when compared to typical NiP deposits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the low cost manufacturing a plurality of rigid sputtered magnetic media disks of one or more sizes from a rigid sheet, in which one or more initial steps of preparing the media are performed while the media is in sheet form. The individual disks are then removed from the sheet, and final processing is performed individually on the disks.

Abstract: A method for depositing uniform and smooth ferromagnetic thin films with high deposition-induced microstructural anisotropy includes a magnetic material deposited in two or more static oblique deposition steps from opposed directions to form a free layer having a high kink Hk, a high energy barrier to thermal reversal, a low critical current in spin-torque switching embodiments, and improved resistance to diffusion of material from adjacent layers in the device. Nonmagnetic layers deposited by the static oblique deposition technique may be used as seed layers for a ferromagnetic free layer or to generate other types of anisotropy determined by the deposition-induced microstructural anisotropy. Additional magnetic or non-magnetic layers may be deposited by conventional methods adjacent to oblique layer to provide magnetic coupling control, reduction of surface roughness, and barriers to diffusion from additional adjacent layers in the device.

Abstract: A method for “tagging” proppants so that they can be tracked and monitored in a downhole environment, based on the use of composite proppant compositions comprising a particulate substrate coated by a material whose electromagnetic properties change at a detectable level under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. In another aspect, the invention relates to composite proppant compositions comprising coatings whose electromagnetic properties change under a mechanical stress such as the closure stress of a fracture. The substantially spherical composite proppants may comprise a thermoset nanocomposite particulate substrate where the matrix material comprises a terpolymer of styrene, ethylvinylbenzene and divinylbenzene, and carbon black particles possessing a length that is less than 0.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a plating method on a glass base plate. The method allows forming a plating film on a base plate composed of a glass material with excellent adhesivity and homogeneity by means of an electroless plating method even to a thickness of 1 ?m or more. Before forming a plating film by a step of electroless plating S6, a surface treatment process is conducted on a surface of the base plate composed of a glass material. The surface treatment process comprises at least a step of glass activation treatment S2 to increase quantity of silanol groups on the surface of the base plate at least by a factor of two using an aqueous solution of diluted acid, a step of silane coupling agent treatment S3, a step of palladium catalyst treatment S4, and a step of palladium bonding treatment S5.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing discrete track media and patterned media is disclosed which enables a magnetic recording layer having excellent magnetic characteristics to be obtained without imparting damage to a crystal orientation control layer which is at the surface when forming the magnetic recording layer. The method for manufacturing magnetic recording media comprises a process of forming a soft magnetic layer on a substrate; a process of forming a first crystal orientation control layer on the soft magnetic layer; a process of providing a depression in at least a portion of the first crystal orientation control layer; a process of performing heat treatment of the first crystal orientation control layer; and a process of forming a magnetic recording layer on the first crystal orientation control layer.

Abstract: A method for producing a white powder, which includes forming on a surface of a base particle a titanium oxide film and a metallic silver film contiguously one upon another in this order, wherein the base particle includes a magnetic material, and wherein said step of forming on the surface of the base particle the titanium oxide film includes dispersing the base particle in a buffer solution and adding a titanium salt aqueous solution while agitating the dispersion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium. The method includes altering magnetic characteristics of a magnetic recording layer at positions corresponding to concave portions of a mask layer by ion implantation or exposure to an activated halogen-containing reactive gas, via a mask layer on which a concavo-convex pattern is formed. The concavo-convex pattern is formed by forming a separating portion that magnetically separates magnetic portions of the magnetic recording layer in positions corresponding to convex portions of the mask layer. A resist material configuring the mask layer allows the shape of the concavo-convex pattern to vary after the formation of the concavo-convex pattern. A taper angle of a stepped portion marking the boundaries between the concave and convention portions of the concavo-convex pattern, when starting the alteration of magnetic characteristics of the magnetic recording layer, is between 66° and 88°.

Abstract: It is an object to produce a magnetic storage medium of a high recording density by a production method that does not impair mass productivity, and a magnetic storage medium 10 is produced by a production method including: a magnetic-film forming step of forming a magnetic film 61 on a substrate 62; and a dots separating step of reducing saturation magnetization by locally injecting mixed ions of N2+ ion and N+ ion into an area, of the substrate 62, other than plural areas which respectively become magnetic dots 62c where information is to be magnetically recorded, thereby forming, between the magnetic dots 62c, a between-dot separator 62d having saturation magnetization smaller than saturation magnetization of the magnetic dots 62c.

Abstract: A process for producing a magnetic recording medium which can increase significantly yield and productivity is provided. Such a process for producing a magnetic recording medium includes a resist layer forming step which includes an immersing step of immersing a part of a non-magnetic substrate 31 in a resist solution 11 so that an inner circular domain 3 of an opening part is arranged above a liquid surface 11a of the resist solution 11 and a part of a data recording domain 4 is arranged under the liquid surface 11a of the resist solution 11, and a taking out step of taking the non-magnetic substrate 31 out from the resist solution 11, while rotating the non-magnetic substrate 31 immersed in the resist solution 11 around a rotation axis 37a extending in the direction of the thickness of the non-magnetic substrate 31 through the center of an opening part 37.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk having at least a glass substrate, a plurality of underlayers formed over the glass substrate, and a magnetic layer formed over the plurality of underlayers, at least one of the underlayers is an amorphous underlayer containing a VIa group element and carbon and, given that the remanent magnetization in a circumferential direction of the disk is Mrc and the remanent magnetization in a radial direction of the disk is Mrr, the magnetic disk has a magnetic anisotropy in which Mrc/Mrr being a ratio between Mrc and Mrr exceeds 1.

Abstract: Magnetically responsive particles can include two or more magnetically responsive layers (“MRL”). As such, the particles can have the following: a polymeric core; a first magnetically responsive layer (“MRL”) on the core; a first polymeric layer bound to the first MRL; a second MRL layer bound to the first polymeric layer; and a second polymeric layer bound to the second MRL. The particles can have a faster magnetic response time compared to a similar particle having only a single MRL, which can be at least 25% faster. Also, the particle can have a magnetic squareness of less than about 0.1. Preferably, the particle can have negligible residual magnetism after being exposed to a magnetic field sufficient for the particle to respond thereto. Further, the particle can be colloidally stable in water at concentrations from about 0.1 to 10 grams of particle per 100 milliliters of water.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a magnetic disk glass substrate, wherein, in a main surface polishing process, main surface polishing is applied to one of main surfaces of a glass substrate so that the one main surface has a predetermined arithmetic mean roughness, and main surface polishing is applied to the other main surface of the glass substrate so that the other main surface has a roughness which is higher than the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of the one main surface and which is low enough to prevent a component forming the magnetic disk glass substrate from being eluted from the other main surface.

Abstract: A disk that is identified as defective in a manufacturing process is reused for conditioning a deposition tool that deposits a magnetic material onto disks. After the disk has been identified as defective, a surface of the disk is cleaned in a cleaning tool to remove a lubricant material using a dry etch process. The cleaned disk is moved from the cleaning tool into the deposition tool. The deposition tool is conditioned by depositing the magnetic material onto the cleaned surface of the disk. Because the disk has been cleaned, reusing the defective disk to condition the deposition tool does not contaminate the deposition tool.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for producing a Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) read head includes forming a fixed layer, forming an insulating barrier layer above the fixed layer, forming a free layer above the insulating barrier layer, and annealing the free layer, the fixed layer, and the insulating barrier layer. The fixed layer includes a first ferromagnetic layer having a CoxFe (0?x?15) interface layer and a Co-based amorphous metallic layer between the CoxFe interface layer and the insulating barrier layer, an antiparallel coupling layer below the first ferromagnetic layer, and a second ferromagnetic layer below the antiparallel coupling layer. In another embodiment, a TMR read head includes the layers described above, and may be included in a magnetic data storage system.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an MR element in which current flows in a direction perpendicular to layer planes, includes a step of forming on a lower electrode layer an MR multi-layered structure with side surfaces substantially perpendicular to the layer lamination plane, a step of forming a first insulation layer on at least the side surfaces of the formed MR multi-layered structure, a step of forming a second insulation layer and a magnetic domain control bias layer on the lower electrode layer, and a step of forming an upper electrode layer on the MR multi-layered structure and the magnetic domain control bias layer.

Abstract: The process of forming a plated film according to the invention is designed such that the surface asperities of the inorganic film formed by the tracing of a standing wave occurring at the inner wall surface of the first opening in the resist at the resist pattern-formation step are reduced or eliminated. It is thus possible to form, efficiently yet in a short period of time, a high aspect-ratio plated film portion having an aspect ratio of greater than 1. In addition, the formed plated film quality is extremely improved for the absence of pores (cavities).

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a plurality of regions of magnetic material in a substrate having a first approximately planar surface. The method comprises the steps of fabricating projections in the first surface of the substrate, depositing onto the first surface a magnetic material in such a way that the tops of the projections are covered with magnetic material, and depositing filler material atop the substrate so produced. The filler material may then be planarized, for example by chemical-mechanical polishing. In an alternative embodiment magnetic material is deposited on a substrate and portions of it are removed, leaving islands of material. Filler material is then deposited, which may be planarized.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetic layer containing a nonmagnetic powder and a binder and a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder in this order on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the magnetic layer comprises a nonmagnetic powder of which coefficient of variation CV of a particle size distribution as denoted by the following formula (1): CV(%)=?/?×100 ??(1) is less than 20 percent, and the magnetic layer has a thickness being equal to or less than 0.1 ?m and falling within a range of 1.1??/t?8.0, wherein ? denotes a standard deviation of a particle diameter, ? denotes an average particle diameter of the nonmagnetic powder comprised in the magnetic layer being expressed in ?m, and t denotes a thickness of the magnetic layer being expressed in ?m.

Abstract: A system and method for forming encoded microparticles is described. One embodiment includes a method of forming an encoded microparticle, the method comprising: depositing and patterning a plurality of layers on a substrate so as to form a plurality of microparticles, each microparticle comprising a plurality of separate segments aligned along an axis and representing a code; and releasing the microparticles in order to separate the microparticles from the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a porous carbon material composite formed of a porous carbon material and a functional material and equipped with high functionality. A porous carbon material composite is formed of (A) a porous carbon material obtainable from a plant-derived material having a silicon (Si) content of 5 wt % or higher as a raw material, said porous carbon material having a silicon (Si) content of 1 wt % or lower, and (B) a functional material adhered on the porous carbon material, and has a specific surface area of 10 m2/g or greater as determined by the nitrogen BET method and a pore volume of 0.1 cm3/g or greater as determined by the BJH method and MP method.

Abstract: Patterned media and associated methods of fabrication are provided in which vertical magnetic grains are grown on a patterned seed layer. The patterned seed layer includes a matrix of islands of a first seed material. Each island of first seed material is separated from other islands by a region of second seed material. The first seed material is selected to initiate growth of magnetic material, and the second seed material is selected to initiate growth of non-magnetic material. Subsequently, magnetic material is grown on the first seed material and non-magnetic material is grown on the second seed material. Deposition may be simultaneously. The magnetic and non-magnetic materials form well-defined vertical columns over the first and second seed materials respectively. Thus, each island behaves as an isolated magnetic unit, which switches independently from its neighbor units, which are magnetically separated by the non-magnetic material.

Abstract: An alkali-type nonionic surfactant composition contains a nonionic surfactant (component A), water (component B), at least one compound (component C) selected from the group consisting of benzenesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, dimethylbenzenesulfonic acid, hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid and salts thereof, and at least one alkaline chemical (component D) selected from the group consisting of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. The alkali-type nonionic surfactant composition contains the nonionic surfactant (component A) in an amount of 0.5 to 20 wt % and has a pH at 25° C. of 12 or greater.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk substrate having first and second chamfered faces respectively connecting between first and second main surfaces opposite to each other and an edge face located between the first and second main surfaces, the ranges of the first and second chamfered faces are specified. Specifically, the distance a from a first boundary portion being a boundary between the first main surface and the first chamfered face to a point of intersection between the first main surface and an extended line of the edge face and the distance b from a second boundary portion being a boundary between the second main surface and the second chamfered face to a point of intersection between the second main surface and an extended line of the edge face are set to satisfy a/b?1.6.

Abstract: An aqueous cleaning composition for a substrate for a perpendicular magnetic recording hard disk including a Ni—P containing layer contains at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of surfactants represented by Formulas (1) to (6) and has a pH at 25° C. of 5 or less. In Formula (1), R1 is an alkyl group having a carbon number of 10 to 16, and X is a halogen atom.

Abstract: Micro structures and methods for creating complex, 3-dimensional magnetic micro components and their application for batch-level microassembly. Included is a method for making complex, 3-dimensional magnetic structures by depositing a first photoimageable magnet/polymer material on a substrate and patterning to form at least one first active magnetic area and at least one first sacrificial area, then depositing a second photoimageable magnet/polymer material and patterning to form at least one second active magnetic area and at least one second sacrificial area, and then removing the first sacrificial area and the second sacrificial area. Also included is a micro structure self assembly method, the method including providing a substrate having at least one magnetic receptor site, and engaging a 3-dimensional magnetic micro structure having a magnetic micro component with the substrate by aligning the magnetic micro component with the magnetic receptor site.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer magnetic particles, which comprises: providing polymer particles having a porous interior, and contacting the polymer particles with a magnetic fluid comprising a homogeneous dispersion of magnetic particles, whereby the magnetic particles are incorporated into the porous interior to produce polymer magnetic particles.

Abstract: Patterned media and associated methods of fabrication are provided in which vertical magnetic grains are grown on a patterned seed layer. The patterned seed layer includes a matrix of islands of a first seed material. Each island of first seed material is separated from other islands by a region of second seed material. The first seed material is selected to initiate growth of magnetic material, and the second seed material is selected to initiate growth of non-magnetic material. Subsequently, magnetic material is grown on the first seed material and non-magnetic material is grown on the second seed material. Deposition may be simultaneously. The magnetic and non-magnetic materials form well-defined vertical columns over the first and second seed materials respectively. Thus, each island behaves as an isolated magnetic unit, which switches independently from its neighbor units, which are magnetically separated by the non-magnetic material.

Abstract: Magnetic polymer microbeads and a method for preparing the same are provided. The method for preparing the magnetic polymer microbeads includes the following steps: preparing polymer particles; immersing the polymer particles into a solution in order to swell the polymer particles; adding magnetic nanoparticles to the solution and allowing the magnetic nanoparticles to enter an interior of the polymer particles; and separating the polymer particles from the solution, wherein the polymer particle is made of polystyrene, or a copolymer containing styrene, and the solution includes a medium polar solvent. The average particle size of the magnetic polymer microbeads of the present invention ranges from submicrons to microns. The magnetic polymer microbeads of the present invention have high magnetization, and the various functional groups can be introduced onto the surfaces thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a textured silicon substrate for a magnetic disk, comprising a magnetic film in which magnetic anisotropy can be attained and high recording density can be achieved, while ensuring the flying stability of a head by controlling the surface roughness of the substrate through texturing. Especially, provided is a surface-treated silicon substrate for a magnetic disk, comprising a texture formed on a surface of a silicon substrate comprising an oxide film of 0 to 2 nm thickness, and a magnetic recording medium comprising the surface-treated silicon substrate. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a surface-treated silicon substrate for a magnetic disk, comprising steps of: removing or reducing an oxide film on a surface of a silicon substrate; and forming a texture on the surface of the silicon substrate having the oxide film removed or reduced using a free abrasive-containing slurry and a tape; and a magnetic recording medium comprising the silicon substrate.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium in a shape of a disk includes forming convex sections repeating on the upper surface of an intermediate layer in the radial direction of the disk, and each having an upper surface that repulses magnetic particles; and filling the magnetic particles into concave sections sandwiched by the convex sections in a self-assembling way to form a magnetic recording layer with the magnetic particles.

Abstract: A magnetic disk apparatus having a highly sensitive reproducing head and a method for manufacturing the magnetic disk apparatus are disclosed. A spin-value-type multilayer film composed of an antiferromagnetic layer, a ferromagnetic layer, a nonmagnetic layer and a free magnetic layer is used as a magnoresistive-effect device for the reproducing head. An antiferromagnetic reaction layer is formed between the antiferromagnetic layer and the ferromagnetic layer. The antiferromagnetic reaction layer is formed of a metallic compound containing oxygen.

Abstract: A method for producing a recording medium provides good throughput for mass production and reduces cost. The method facilitates the control of the shape or dimensions of a pattern obtained by microfabrication, allows an accurate pattern transfer, and provides superior uniformity. A magnetic layer is formed on a substrate. A nano-particle film 16 is formed on a desired portion on the magnetic layer. Using the nano-particle film as a mask, the magnetic layer is cut. A micropattern with concavities and convexities is formed on the magnetic layer by removing the nano-particle film.

Abstract: Microspheres, populations of microspheres, and methods for forming microspheres are provided. One microsphere configured to exhibit fluorescent and magnetic properties includes a core microsphere and a magnetic material coupled to a surface of the core microsphere. About 50% or less of the surface of the core microsphere is covered by the magnetic material. The microsphere also includes a polymer layer surrounding the magnetic material and the core microsphere. One population of microspheres configured to exhibit fluorescent and magnetic properties includes two or more subsets of microspheres. The two or more subsets of microspheres are configured to exhibit different fluorescent and/or magnetic properties. Individual microspheres in the two or more subsets are configured as described above.

Abstract: A nanopatterned surface is prepared by forming a block copolymer film on a miscut crystalline substrate, annealing the block copolymer film, then reconstructing the surface of the annealed block copolymer film. The method creates a well-ordered array of voids in the block copolymer film that is maintained over a large area. The nanopatterned block copolymer films can be used in a variety of different applications, including the fabrication of high density data storage media.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method of a glass substrate for a magnetic disk including a cleaning process of the glass substrate, the cleaning process includes a process of contacting the glass substrate with a cleaning solution containing a compound, such as thioglycolic acid or a thioglycolic acid derivative, having a thiol group as a functional group.

Abstract: The invention includes devices and methods for forming random arrays of magnetic particles, arrays formed using these devices and methods, and to methods of using the arrays. The invention provides an assembly (chip) with magnetic domains that produce localized magnetic fields capable of immobilizing magnetic particles such as commercially available magnetic beads. Probe or sensor molecules can be coupled to the beads, which are then dispersed on the assembly, forming a random order array. The arrays can be used for analyzing samples, targets, and/or the interaction between samples and targets. The invention finds particular use in processes such as high-throughput genotyping and other nucleic acid hybridization-based assays.