Magnetic Recording Medium Seed Layer for High-Density Low-Noise Media
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic recording media face challenges in achieving higher recording densities due to limitations in micronizing magnetic particles and enhancing perpendicular orientation, leading to increased noise and reduced thermal stability.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic recording medium with a seed layer composed of phase-separated elements, a base layer with specific compositions, and an intermediate layer promoting epitaxial growth of columnar crystals, enhancing perpendicular orientation and micronization of magnetic particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If magnetic particles are micronized to achieve higher recording density, then recording density increases, but noise increases and thermal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a seed layer with non-uniform phase distribution - a crystalline phase region and an amorphous phase region - where each phase provides different local properties. The crystalline phase promotes epitaxial growth for perpendicular orientation, while the amorphous phase suppresses grain growth to maintain small particle size, thereby reducing noise while enabling high recording density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining two phases (crystalline and amorphous) within the seed layer. This composite structure allows the crystalline phase to provide template effects for perpendicular magnetic anisotropy while the amorphous phase prevents excessive grain growth, thus achieving both high recording density and low noise through material composition design.
2Productivity
If magnetic particles are micronized to achieve higher recording density, then recording density increases, but thermal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a seed layer with non-uniform phase distribution - a crystalline phase region and an amorphous phase region - where each phase provides different local properties. The crystalline phase promotes epitaxial growth for perpendicular orientation, while the amorphous phase suppresses grain growth to maintain small particle size, thereby reducing noise while enabling high recording density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining two phases (crystalline and amorphous) within the seed layer. This composite structure allows the crystalline phase to provide template effects for perpendicular magnetic anisotropy while the amorphous phase prevents excessive grain growth, thus achieving both high recording density and low noise through material composition design.
3Productivity
If perpendicular orientation is enhanced to achieve higher recording density, then recording density increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming a seed layer with specific crystalline and amorphous phase regions before depositing the magnetic recording layer. This pre-prepared seed layer provides a template structure that guides the epitaxial growth of the magnetic layer, ensuring perpendicular orientation without requiring complex post-processing or additional manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a seed layer with dual-phase structure between the substrate and the magnetic recording layer. This intermediary layer mediates the growth process, providing both crystalline templates for perpendicular orientation and amorphous regions for grain size control, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while achieving high recording density.
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 solution results in improved signal-to-noise ratio, reduced noise, and enhanced thermal stability, enabling higher recording densities and better overwrite characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate layer that promotes epitaxial growth of columnar crystals
Implementation Method 2
the seed layer includes two elements that are phase-separated from each other, a phase of one element of the two elements, represented by element α, mainly includes a columnar crystal having an fcc structure
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic recording medium includes a nonmagnetic substrate; a base layer over the nonmagnetic substrate; a seed layer over the base layer; and a magnetic recording layer over the seed layer. The seed layer includes two elements that are phase-separated from each other. A phase of one element of the two elements, represented by element α, mainly includes a columnar crystal having an fcc structure. A phase of another element of the two elements, represented by element β, mainly includes an amorphous structure. The base layer includes, in sequence from the nonmagnetic substrate, first, second, and third base layers. The first base layer mainly includes Ru, Cr, or Ni. The second base layer mainly includes the element α. The third base layer mainly includes Ru, Cr, or Mo.