Magnetic Recording Medium Surface Topography Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic recording media using hexagonal strontium ferrite and ε-iron oxide powders in magnetic layers often exhibit deteriorated electromagnetic conversion characteristics due to high anisotropic magnetic fields, which are prone to spacing fluctuations and difficulty in magnetization by recording heads.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic recording medium with a ferromagnetic powder selected from hexagonal strontium ferrite and ε-iron oxide, featuring a standard deviation of magnetic projection height between 0.5 to 2.5 nm, which improves surface roughness and reduces friction, enhancing electromagnetic conversion characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If hexagonal strontium ferrite powder or ε-iron oxide powder is used in the magnetic layer, then high-density recording suitability is improved, but electromagnetic conversion characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording densityVSAvoidelectromagnetic conversion characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface topography parameter by controlling the standard deviation of magnetic projection height to 2.5 nm or less, which resolves the contradiction between using high-anisotropy materials (for high-density recording) and maintaining good electromagnetic conversion characteristics. This parameter control allows the magnetic head to smoothly follow the surface profile, reducing spacing fluctuations and improving signal-to-noise ratio despite the high anisotropic magnetic field of the ferromagnetic powder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If ferromagnetic powder with high anisotropic magnetic field is used, then thermal stability is improved, but magnetization by recording head becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal stabilityVSAvoidmagnetization process
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface morphology parameter (standard deviation of magnetic projection height) to enable easier magnetization of high-anisotropy ferromagnetic powder. By ensuring smooth surface topology, the magnetic head can effectively magnetize the particles during the recording process, overcoming the difficulty posed by high anisotropic magnetic fields while preserving thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The specified standard deviation of the magnetic projection height improves electromagnetic conversion characteristics by reducing noise and enhancing the smooth sliding between the magnetic layer and the recording head, thereby improving recording performance.

Implementation Method 1

enhancing the smooth sliding between the magnetic layer and the recording head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

exhibiting excellent electromagnetic conversion characteristics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11495256B2Magnetic recording medium, magnetic tape cartridge, and magnetic recording and reproducing device
Publication Date: 2022.11.08 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

The magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic support, and a magnetic layer including a ferromagnetic powder. The ferromagnetic powder is a ferromagnetic powder selected from the group consisting of a hexagonal strontium ferrite powder and an ε-iron oxide powder. The standard deviation of a height of the magnetic projection portion on a surface of the magnetic layer is in a range of 0.5 to 2.5 nm.