Abstract: Magnetic medium recording performance can be enhanced by irradiating a magnetic medium with ions having an acceleration voltage of between 10 keV and 100 keV to induce exchange coupling between grains of the magnetic medium. The magnetic medium is exposed to a cumulative ion dosage of between 1013 ions/cm2 and 1017 ions/cm2 using a non-patterned exposure of the magnetic medium. The ions can be selected from the group consisting of H+, He+, Ne+, Ar+, Kr+, and Xe+. Alternatively, the ions can be selected from the group consisting of Ga+, Hg+, and In+.

Abstract: There is provided a tunneling magnetic sensing element having an insulating barrier layer composed of Ti—O, a high rate of resistance change (?R/R) compared with the known art, and an interlayer coupling magnetic field Hin lower than that in the known art while low RA is maintained and the coercivity of a free magnetic layer is maintained at a low level comparable to the known art; and a method for producing the tunneling magnetic sensing element. An insulating barrier layer is composed of Ti—O. A free magnetic layer is formed on the insulating barrier layer and has a laminated structure of an enhancing sublayer composed of a CoFe alloy, a Pt sublayer, and a soft magnetic sublayer composed of a NiFe alloy, stacked in that order from the bottom.

Abstract: A magnetic alloy for a magnetic recording medium contains 40 to 60 at % of Pt and 60 to 40 at % of at least three species selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Mn and Cr as 3d transition metal elements. The magnetic alloy has a Co content of 10 to 0 at %, has an average of valence electron numbers in the 3d transition metal elements of 7.5 to 8.0 based on compositional proportions and has an order parameter S of 0.5 to 1 that is calculated from: S=[{F(002)2/F(001)2}×{L(002)/L(001)}×{(A(002)/A(001)}×{I(001)/I(002)}]1/2, in which F (plane direction), L (plane direction), A (plane direction) and I (plane direction) represent structure factor, Lorentz factor, sorption factor and integrated intensity as measured through X-ray diffraction (?/2?) of the magnetic alloy in a corresponding plane direction, respectively.

Abstract: Devices based on spinodally decomposed periodic structures and their fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a first magnetic layer having at least one magnetic material layer, a second magnetic layer having at least one magnetic material layer, a first nonmagnetic layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, a third magnetic layer including a ferromagnetic material with a fixed magnetization direction, and a pair of electrodes. The pair of electrodes are operable to pass a current through a laminated body including the first and second magnetic layers, the nonmagnetic layer, and the third magnetic layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording system and medium has a multilayered recording layer that includes an exchange-spring structure and a ferromagnetic lateral coupling layer (LCL). The exchange-spring structure is made up of two ferromagnetically exchange-coupled magnetic layers (MAG1 and MAG2), each with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. MAG1 and MAG2 may have a coupling layer (CL) located between them that permits ferromagnetic exchange coupling of MAG1 with MAG2. The LCL is located either above or below MAG1 and in direct contact with MAG1 and mediates an effective intergranular exchange coupling in MAG1. The ferromagnetic alloy in the LCL has significantly greater intergranular exchange coupling than the ferromagnetic alloy in MAG1, which typically will include segregants such as oxides. The LCL is preferably free of oxides or other non-metallic segregants, which would tend to reduce intergranular exchange coupling in the LCL.

Abstract: A synthetic resin card having a substantially planar core section and a first outer layer and a second outer layer laminated on front and back surfaces of the core section, respectively, the first outer layer and the second outer layer having molecular orientations, the difference ? in the angle of orientation between the molecular orientations of the first and second outer layers is 20° or less, and at least one of the first and second outer layers is provided with a recording layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a soft magnetic underlayer formed on a substrate, magnetic patterns made of a ferromagnetic material and provided separately on the soft magnetic underlayer, and a nonmagnetic layer including two sublayers or more of a same material and formed on the soft magnetic underlayer between the magnetic patterns.

Abstract: A damper for a data storage device having a viscoelastic material and a constraint material disposed on the viscoelastic material, the constraint material covers the sides of the viscoelastic material to reduce exposure of the viscoelastic material from debris in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium, which has both high substrate strength and low alkaline elution, includes an etching process of etching the inner-edge face of a donut-shaped glass substrate having an aluminosilicate composition, formed by removing the center portion of a die-molded disc-shaped glass substrate, and an alkali sealing process of performing alkali sealing treatment by proton substitution of alkali ions in the surface layer of the etched donut-shaped glass substrate. The process is used to manufacture a magnetic recording medium incorporating a glass substrate having a total alkaline elution amount of less than 3.1 ?g/disk, wherein the magnetic recording medium has a transverse rupture strength greater than 132 N.

Abstract: Disclosed is an object (200) such as a credit card, bank note, document, label, etc which carries an identification layer (103) which contains readable information. The identification layer can include randomly distributed conductive/magnetisable particles (303), semiconductive particle, optically active particles and the like. The identification layer is sandwiched between an upper layer (105) and lower layer (104) to form the object. At least some of the particles are exposed along one edge (102) of the object and can be read by a read head (201) which moves along the edge.

Abstract: This magnetic recording medium comprising at least a non-magnetic underlayer on a non-magnetic substrate, a first recording magnetic layer on the non-magnetic underlayer, a second recording magnetic layer on the first recording magnetic layer, and a third recording magnetic layer on the second recording magnetic layer. The first recording magnetic layer, the second recording magnetic layer and the third recording magnetic layer are made of a CoCrPtB alloy. The second recording magnetic layer has a smaller Cr content and a greater B content than the first recording magnetic layer, and the third recording magnetic layer has a smaller Cr content and a greater B content than the first recording magnetic layer and a smaller Pt content than the second recording magnetic layer. The magnetic recording medium according to the present invention can obtain high output medium characteristic with low noise and excellent written performance.

Abstract: An air-bearing surface of a hard disk drive slider comprises a trailing edge wherein a magnetic transducer is coupled to the air-bearing surface. A leading edge is opposite from the trailing edge. A channel is coupled to the air-bearing surface wherein the channel comprises: a closure at a distal end proximal to the leading edge; a bottom surface; and a center of the channel approximately aligned colinear with a center of the magnetic transducer. In this configuration the channel generates significantly more negative pressure proximal to the leading edge thereby stiffening the air bearing during operation.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes recording regions formed on a substrate, isolation regions formed between the recording regions so as to define the recording regions, and recording dots formed of a dot-like magnetic recording layer and arrayed in the recording regions, the recording dots including first recording dots arrayed in a line in each edge part of each recording region along the isolation region and second recording dots arrayed into a regular lattice in a central part of each recording region. A distance between a first recording dot and a second recording dot which are nearest neighboring is larger than a distance between second recording dots which are nearest neighboring.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium and a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium are provided, in which degradation of wear resistance against a magnetic head and performances of the medium is restrained, and metal dissolving out of the magnetic recording layer and degradation of corrosion resistance due to low coverage of a protective layer are suppressed. The method of manufacturing provides a magnetic recording medium having a convex portion of a magnetic recording layer for recording information and a concave portion without a recording function on a disk substrate. An ALD protective layer is formed on the magnetic recording medium using an ALD method. The magnetic recording medium has a convex portion of a magnetic recording layer for recording information and a concave portion without a recording function on a disk substrate, and has a protective layer formed by an ALD method on the concavo-convex pattern.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a soft magnetic layer, a first nonmagnetic underlayer having a fine crystal structure and made of Pd or a Pd alloy, a second nonmagnetic underlayer made of Ru or an Ru alloy, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer are stacked on a nonmagnetic substrate.

Abstract: Lubricant with non-terminal functional groups. The location of the functional groups minimizes free chain length and molecular weight of a lubricant while simultaneously maximizing evaporation temperature. The locations of the functional groups to the backbone of the molecule of the lubricant allows for shorter lengths of free backbone length between functional groups attached to a lubricated surface. The lubricant lubricates mechanical devices including hard disk drives. The lubricant can also be added to media or other mechanical parts in conjunction with other lubricants.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective bilayer on a magnetic read/write head or magnetic disk. The bilayer is formed as an adhesion enhancing underlayer and a protective diamond-like carbon (DLC) overlayer. The underlayer is formed of an aluminum or alloyed aluminum oxynitride, having the general formula AlOxNy or MezAlOxNy where Mez symbolizes Tiz, Siz or Crz and where x, y and z can be varied within the formation process. By adjusting the values of x and y the adhesion underlayer contributes to such qualities of the protective bilayer as stress compensation, chemical and mechanical stability and low electrical conductivity. Various methods of forming the underlayer are provided, including reactive ion sputtering, plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition, pulsed laser deposition and plasma immersion ion implantation.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the deposition of an improved diamond-like carbon material, particularly for the production of magnetic recording media. The diamond-like carbon material of the present invention is highly tetrahedral, that is, it features a large number of the sp3 carbon-carbon bonds which are found within a diamond crystal lattice. The material is also amorphous, providing a combination of short-range order with long-range disorder, and can be deposited as films which are ultrasmooth and continuous at thicknesses substantially lower than known amorphous carbon coating materials. The carbon protective coatings of the present invention will often be hydrogenated. In a preferred method for depositing of these materials, capacitive coupling forms a highly uniform, selectively energized stream of ions from a dense, inductively ionized plasma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a carbon protective film and a method for producing a magnetic recording medium, that decreases the generation of particles in a plasma CVD apparatus thereby improving flatness of the surface of a carbon protective film, and also can manufacture a magnetic recording medium having high recording density and excellent recording/reproducing characteristics; a magnetic recording medium; and a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus using the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A Re-based alloy material comprises >50 at. % Re and at least one alloying material selected from grain size refinement elements X which have an atomic radius larger or smaller than that of Re and a solid solubility <˜6 at. % in hcp Re at room or higher temperatures, and lattice matching elements Y which have an atomic radius larger or smaller than that of Re and form a solid solution in hcp Re at room or higher temperatures. The alloy material may further comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides, and carbides. Targets comprising the Re-based alloy material are useful in sputter deposition of improved interlayers for obtaining optimally structured granular perpendicular magnetic recording layers.

Abstract: Example embodiments may provide data storage devices using movement of magnetic domain walls including a first magnetic layer having at least two magnetic domains with determinable magnetization directions, and/or a soft second magnetic layer formed on a lower surface of the first magnetic layer. Magnetic domain walls may be moved even in curved regions of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a magnetic domain wall and a memory device using a magnetic field application unit are provided. The apparatus for moving a magnetic domain wall includes a magnetic layer having a plurality of magnetic domains; current supply units that are disposed on both sides of the magnetic layer and supply current to the magnetic layer; and a magnetic field application unit that is disposed on at least one surface of the magnetic layer and applies a magnetic field to the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium has high corrosion resistance and high Bs, a method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic recording device. The magnetic recording medium using as a recording layer a magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. A soft magnetic backing layer (upper and lower soft magnetic backing layers) formed under the recording layer is composed of a FeCoZr alloy added with at least one element of Ta and Nb and further added with Cr. This magnetic recording medium includes the soft magnetic backing layer having high corrosion resistance and high Bs and therefore, exhibits high Hc recording and high S/N performance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) (10, 50) employing synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) free layers (14, 14?). The MTJ (10, 50) comprises a pinned ferromagnetic (FM) layer (32, 18), the SAF (14) and a tunneling barrier (16) therebetween. The SAF (14) has a first higher spin polarization FM layer (30) proximate the tunneling barrier (16) and a second FM layer (26) desirably separated from the first FM layer (30) by a coupling layer (28), with magnetostriction adapted to compensate the magnetostriction of the first FM layer (30). Such compensation reduces the net magnetostriction of the SAF (14) to near zero even with high spin polarization proximate the tunneling barrier (16). Higher magnetoresistance ratios (MRs) are obtained without adverse affect on other MTJ (10, 50) properties. NiFe combinations are desirable for the first (30) and second (26) free FM layers, with more Fe in the first (30) free layer and less Fe in the second (26) free layer.

Abstract: A magnetic memory cell for use in a magnetic random access memory array that uses the antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition properties of FeRh to assist in the control of switching of the memory cell.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium, its manufacturing method, and a magnetic storage apparatus including the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, a soft magnetic lining layer formed on the substrate, and a recording layer. The recording layer includes a first recording layer, an auxiliary recording layer, and a second recording layer that are laminated in this sequence. The first and the second recording layers are ferromagnetic layers that have a magnetization easy axis perpendicular to the layers. The auxiliary recording layer includes two or more magnetic particles mutually separated by non-magnetism members, wherein the magnetic particles are arranged approximately perpendicular to the layer and have the magnetization easy axis in a direction slanted with reference to the layer. The auxiliary recording layer is exchange-coupled with the adjoining first recording layer and second recording layer.

Abstract: A soft magnetic undercoat film, a first undercoat film, a second undercoat film, a perpendicular magnetic recording film, and a protective film are provided on a non-magnetic substrate, and the first undercoat film consists of Pt, Pd, or an alloy including at least one among these, and the second undercoat film consists of Ru or an Ru alloy.

Abstract: A magnet comprising grains of a ferromagnetic material whose main component is iron and a fluorine compound layer or an oxy-fluorine compound layer of fluoride compound particles of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and rare earth elements, present on the surface of the ferromagnetic material grains, wherein an amount of iron atoms in the fluorine compound particles is 1 to 50 atomic %.

Abstract: A disk media has an IC chip which is mounted thereon at a boundary peripheral portion of a metal film layer formation region with respect to a metal film layer non-formation region. The IC chip is mounted on a top surface of the metal film layer. An “L”-shaped slit is formed in the metal film layer at the mount position of the IC chip while causing signal input/output electrodes of IC chip to be connected to portions of the metal film layer which are placed on the opposite sides of the slit. With such an arrangement, it is possible to use the metal film layer as an antenna of IC chip while enabling the impedance of IC chip to match the impedance of the antenna formed by the metal film layer.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer apparatus is provided with a transfer holder. A master information carrier and a slave medium are accommodated in the transfer holder in an overlapping state where they are opposed to each other and held in close contact with each other. The master information carrier and the slave medium overlapping each other are pressed against each other by hermetically closing the holder and evacuating the inner space of the holder.

Abstract: A multilayer structure that includes a substrate layer containing a mixture containing one or more copolymers that include polymerized residues from one or more styrenic monomers and one or more C1-C32 linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl(meth)acrylate monomers and/or maleic-type monomers and one or more elastomeric materials; and a reflective film layer coated on a surface of the substrate layer. The multilayer structure can be used as an optical storage medium.

Abstract: An optical storage medium has a substrate having a first surface and a second surface on both sides, the first surface allowing light to pass therethrough in recording or reproduction. The medium also has at least one composite layer having at least a first protective film, a second protective film and a recording film formed in order on the second surface, the first and second protective films exhibiting refractive indices n1 and n2, respectively, having the following relations therebetween, to the light having a specific wavelength ?: n1>n2, n1?n2?0.02 and 2.1?n1?2.5, 1.5?n2?2.1. The composite layer may have at least a first protective film, a second protective film, a third protective film and a recording film formed in order on the second surface, the first, second and third protective films exhibiting refractive indices n21, n22 and n23, respectively, having a relation n21>n22>n23 or n22>n21>n23 thereamong, to the light having a specific wavelength ?.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium capable of attaining high in-plane recording density of 100 Mbits or more per 1 mm2 is provided. Magnetic recording medium is provided in which underlayers, a first magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, a second magnetic layer, a second intermediate layer, a third magnetic layer, a protection layer and lubrication layer are formed in this order above a substrate. Each of the third magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer comprises a Co-based alloy containing at least Pt, Cr and B. The concentration of Pt contained in the second magnetic layer is not more than that in the third magnetic layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnetic recording media is provided, by which a magnetic recording medium that has a recording layer formed in a concavo-convex pattern, a sufficiently flat surface, and good recording/reproducing properties can be manufactured. The method includes the steps of: depositing a first filling material over a workpiece to cover recording elements formed as convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern, and to fill at least part of a concave portion; depositing a detection material over the first filling material; depositing a second filling material over the detection material; and irradiating a surface of the workpiece with a process gas to flatten the surface. In the flattening step, a component of the detection material removed from and flying off the workpiece is detected to stop the irradiation with the process gas based on a result of detecting the component of the detection material.

Abstract: Ultra smooth as-deposited electroless nickel coatings are achieved employing a plating bath containing aluminum and/or copper ions. Embodiments include electroless deposition of an amorphous nickel-phosphorous coating on a glass, glass-ceramic, ceramic, or aluminum-containing substrate, with an as deposited average surface roughness (Ra) of less than about 16 .ANG., depositing an underlayer, and depositing a magnetic layer to form a magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A method of making a magneto-optical disk. A first AlGeN dielectric film is formed by reactive sputtering on a substrate. Two targets, one of aluminum and one of germanium, are used in the sputtering in a mixed atmosphere having at least nitrogen gas. Alternatively, a single target using an aluminum germanium alloy can be used. A magnetic film is formed on top of this dielectric film. A second dielectric film is then formed on top of the magnetic film. An adhesive film is formed on top of the second dielectric film and a second substrate adhered thereto.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance ratio of 200% (absolute value) or more at room temperature in a field of 6T can be achieved in a layer of material of nominal composition XMnO.sub.y (X is La and at least one of Ca, Sr and Ba, y in the range 2-3.5), if, after formation of the layer, the layer is heat treated in an oxygen-rich (O.sub.2 partial pressure greater than that of air) atmosphere, typically in flowing O.sub.2. The temperature and duration of the heat treatment are in the range 300.degree.-850.degree.C. and 10 minutes-12 hours, and are selected to result in the desired ratio of 200% or more.

Abstract: A magnetic recording film and a magneto-optic recording system utilizing films. The film includes light and heavy rare earth elements and transition metal elements. The system can include dielectric layers and low magnetic coercivity layers in addition to the recording layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprising alumite made by anodic oxidation of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and comprising fine pores in which a ferromagnetic material is filled, wherein an in-plane remanence is at least 2.5 times greater than a perpendicular remanence and a magnetic recording medium of the above alumite, wherein the magnetic material is at least one material selected from the group consisting of Fe or Co, alloy mainly composed of Fe or Co, an Co or Fe containing a P element, and an alloy mainly composed of Co or Fe and containing the P element.

Abstract: In a receiver sheet for dye-diffusion thermal transfer printing, a receiver coat of dye-receptive polymer containing a crosslinked silicone release system, is protected against loss of release function when overlying a substrate or coating containing particulate metal salts or metal oxides, by a protective polymeric interlayer comprising an acidic polymer composition selected from:a) an addition polymer in which at least 30% of its monomer molecule residues contain at least one carboxylic acid group,b) a blend of at least two addition polymers in which at least 30% of the monomer molecule residues in the blend contain at least one carboxylic acid group,c) a crosslinked addition polymer wherein the addition polymer molecules are substantially crosslinked to form an insoluble polymer matrix in the presence of excess strong organic acid.

Abstract: It has been found that a magnetic tape which may be used in particular for video recording and which has excellent abrasive and cleaning properties for all those parts of the cassette or rather the recording and play-back unit which come into contact with the magnetic layer can be obtained by addition of a non-magnetic powder having a Mohs' hardness of at least 9 and a primary particle size of 0.3 to 2 .mu.m to the magnetic pigment, which has a BET surface of at least 26 m.sup.2 /g, in the magnetic dispersion, the magnetic layer of the magnetic tape having an Ra value of less than 0.02 .mu.m. The best results were obtained with cubic Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 particles added in a quantity of 1.1 to 4.4% by weight, based on the magnetic pigment.