Magnetic Recording Medium Plasma Amorphization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic recording devices face challenges in increasing recording density while maintaining signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and preventing data loss due to heat fluctuations and interference between adjacent tracks, with existing methods either contaminating the magnetic layer or requiring complex and time-consuming processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the exposure of a magnetic layer to reactive plasma to amorphize and modify its magnetic properties, reducing coercive force and residual magnetization, thereby creating a magnetically-separated recording pattern with improved surface flatness and environmental resistance, without physical processing or ion injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If track density is increased to increase area recording density, then recording density is improved, but magnetic interference between adjacent tracks increases causing SNR degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea recording densityVSAvoidmagnetic interference between tracks

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic recording medium is divided into discrete tracks separated by non-magnetic regions. These non-magnetic regions act as barriers that prevent magnetic flux from spreading between adjacent tracks, thereby eliminating magnetic interference while maintaining high track density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic recording layer is designed with spatially varying properties: magnetic regions for data storage and non-magnetic regions for isolation. This local differentiation of magnetic properties ensures that each track maintains its magnetic field confinement while contributing to overall high recording density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If recording bit size is reduced to increase area recording density, then recording density is improved, but thermal stability decreases causing data loss due to heat fluctuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea recording densityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic layer is segmented into discrete recording bits separated by non-magnetic regions. This segmentation creates independent magnetic domains where each bit is thermally isolated from others, preventing thermal fluctuations from causing unintended magnetization changes even when bit size is reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If physical processing is applied to form discrete tracks after magnetic layer formation, then track separation is achieved, but contamination of magnetic layer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack separationVSAvoidmagnetic layer contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The non-magnetic regions are formed simultaneously with the magnetic recording layer during the sputtering process, rather than through subsequent physical processing. This preliminary formation of track separation structures eliminates the need for post-deposition processing that would contaminate the magnetic layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sputtering process parameters are dynamically adjusted during deposition to create regions with different magnetic properties. By controlling sputtering power, gas flow, or substrate temperature in specific areas, non-magnetic regions are formed in-situ without physical contact or contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If ion injection is used to modify magnetic properties for track separation, then magnetic property modification is achieved, but damage to magnetic layer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic property modificationVSAvoidmagnetic layer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sputtering process parameters are adjusted to control the magnetic properties of deposited regions. By varying power density, gas composition, or deposition rate, regions with different magnetization levels are created without introducing physical damage or defects to the magnetic layer structure.

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

This approach enables the production of high-density magnetic recording media with enhanced recording/reading properties, stable performance under high temperature and humidity, and reduced write-errors, while maintaining a high production rate and avoiding contamination.

Implementation Method 1

exposing a surface of the magnetic layer partially to reactive plasma, or a reactive ion generated in the plasma to amorphize the portion of the magnetic layer and to modify the magnetic properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

exposing a surface of the magnetic layer partially to reactive plasma, or a reactive ion generated in the plasma to amorphize the portion of the magnetic layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmorphization: Vitrification

Data Source

PatentUS8263190B2Method of producing magnetic recording medium, and magnetic recording and reading device

Publication Date: 2012.09.11 RESONAC HARD DISK CORP

AI summary

The present invention aims to provide a method of producing a magnetic recording medium which is a method of producing a magnetic recording medium having a magnetically-separated magnetic recording pattern, the method including: forming a magnetic layer on a non-magnetic substrate; then exposing a surface of the magnetic layer partially to reactive plasma, or a reactive ion generated in the plasma to amorphize the portion of the magnetic layer.