Surface modification of magnetic recording media by filtered cathodic vacuum arc

Abstract

Interface reactions between quaternary cobalt alloys and carbon coating in thin film disk media Surface modification of a magnetic recording medium was accomplished by filtered cathodic vacuum arc ͑FCVA͒. The carbon overcoat of thin-film disks was removed by Ar + ion sputter etching in vacuum to prevent oxidation of the exposed magnetic medium, which was then modified by FCVA carbon plasma under conditions of zero and Ϫ100 V pulsed substrate bias. Monte Carlo simulations performed with the T-DYN code, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy ͑XPS͒, atomic force microscopy ͑AFM͒, and surface force microscopy ͑SFM͒ provided insight into carbon implantation profiles, surface chemical composition, roughness, and nanomechanical properties of the surface-treated magnetic medium. The dependence of surface modification on the FCVA treatment conditions is discussed in the context of T-DYN, XPS, AFM, and SFM results. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of FCVA to provide overcoat-free magnetic recording media exhibiting oxidation resistance and enhanced nanomechanical properties.

Effect of high substrate bias and hydrogen and nitrogen incorporation on spectroscopic ellipsometric and atomic force microscopic studies of tetrahedral amorphous carbon films

“…Tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films with a high content of sp 3 bonding are being studied with increasing interest for use in diverse areas which include electronics, optoelectronics, vacuum microelectronics, micro electromechanical systems, sensors and in tribological applications, especially as protective coatings for hard disc drives [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. These ta-C films have been grown using a wide variety of processes including filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA)-direct and pulsed source, pulsed laser ablation, mass selected ion beam deposition and electron cyclotron wave resonance processes, and there are many good reviews covering the same in the literature [2][3][4]9,10].…”

Overcoat Free Magnetic Media for Lower Magnetic Spacing and Improved Tribological Properties for Higher Areal Densities

“…Surface modification of the cobalt films was achieved by using the FCVA treatment because of its ability to implant ions under controlled ion energy conditions [2][3][4], to produce the highest fraction of tetrahedral (sp 3 ) carbon hybridization resulting in enhanced mechanical strength [5,6] and high density of the film. The cobalt samples were cleaned by isopropyl alcohol and acetone, respectively, for 20 min in an ultrasonicator before being dried by nitrogen gas.…”

Effects of deposition parameters on characteristics of carbon coatings on optical fibers prepared by thermal chemical vapor deposition

“…For all of carbon coatings prepared with different CH 4 /(CH 4 +N 2 ) ratios, the C1s spectra can be decomposed into six components: 283.08, 284.17, 285.01, 286.36, 287.9, and 289.6 eV attributed to sp 1 carbon atoms, sp 2 carbon atoms, sp 3 carbon atoms, C-O bonds, C = O bonds, and COOR, respectively [25][26][27]. The C-O bonds, C = O bonds, and COOR are assigned to atomic carbon bonded to surface adsorbents from the ambient, hereafter referred to as satellite peaks [27]. Thus, the sum of the satellite peak areas indicates the fraction of carbon bonding with surface adsorbents.…”