Amorphous Adhesion Layer for Magnetic Head Overcoat
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing adhesion layers for magnetic read/write heads, typically made of silicon, provide limited corrosion protection and are unable to maintain sufficient adhesion when thinned, leading to reliability failures and increased head media separation, which affects data reading and writing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An amorphous adhesion layer composed of carbon silicon carbide or carbon silicon nitride with a thickness of less than 8 Angstroms is used, providing improved corrosion resistance and minimizing head media separation by reducing the overall thickness of the DLC overcoat while maintaining adequate adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a silicon adhesion layer is made thinner to reduce head media separation, then HMS distance is decreased, but adhesion strength and corrosion resistance are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining silicon with carbon and nitrogen to form carbon silicon carbide or carbon silicon nitride adhesion layers. This composite structure provides both the required adhesion strength for the DLC overcoat and enhanced corrosion resistance, allowing the layer to be thinned without compromising reliability. The carbon and nitrogen components contribute to corrosion protection while silicon maintains adhesion properties.
2Length of stationary object
If a thinner DLC overcoat is used to reduce head media separation, then HMS distance is decreased, but adhesion properties and corrosion resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the adhesion layer by incorporating carbon and nitrogen into the silicon-based material. This parameter change enhances the corrosion resistance of the adhesion layer, which in turn allows the DLC overcoat to be made thinner without sacrificing overall reliability. The improved corrosion protection from the carbon silicon carbide or carbon silicon nitride layer compensates for the reduced thickness.
3Strength
If silicon is used for the adhesion layer to ensure adequate adhesion, then bonding strength is maintained, but corrosion protection is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials (carbon silicon carbide or carbon silicon nitride) that combine the adhesion properties of silicon with the corrosion resistance of carbon and nitrogen compounds. This composite structure simultaneously provides strong bonding for the DLC overcoat and enhanced protection against corrosion, resolving the limitation of pure silicon adhesion layers.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a metal substrate, an amorphous adhesion layer on the metal substrate, and a protective DLC layer over the adhesion layer. The adhesion layer has a thickness of less than about 8 Angstroms, and has a composition of carbon silicon carbide or carbon silicon nitride. The composition of the adhesion layer provides corrosion resistance for the metal substrate.