Perfluoropolyether Star Lubricant for EAMR Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media lubricants for Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording (EAMR) fail to provide thermal robustness due to thermal material losses through evaporation and decomposition, and demonstrate poor reliability due to their large molecule profile and weak interaction with the carbon overcoat.
Innovation Solution
A lubricant composition featuring a central core with multiple arms, including a perfluoropolyether or derivative, where the arms have a specific formula and functional groups, providing thermal stability and strong interaction with the carbon overcoat, and are applied in a thin film to achieve optimal head-media spacing and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If high molecular weight perfluoropolyether lubricants are used for EAMR, then thermal stability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to poor interaction with carbon overcoat
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant molecule is segmented into distinct functional regions: a perfluoropolyether chain providing thermal stability and a terminal functional group (carboxylic acid, alcohol, or amine) providing strong interaction with the carbon overcoat. This segmentation allows each part to independently fulfill its specific function, resolving the contradiction between thermal stability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the lubricant molecule are assigned different chemical properties: the perfluoropolyether portion provides thermal resistance while the terminal functional group provides adhesive interaction with the overcoat. This local differentiation of chemical properties enables the molecule to simultaneously achieve both thermal stability and strong interface bonding.
2Ease of manufacture
If current media lubricants are used for EAMR, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but thermal robustness deteriorates due to evaporation and decomposition
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant is designed as a composite molecular structure combining perfluoropolyether (providing thermal stability) with terminal functional groups (providing adhesion). This composite approach integrates materials with complementary properties, achieving both thermal robustness and manufacturability through established perfluoropolyether synthesis methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The molecular weight and terminal group composition are optimized to balance thermal stability with manufacturability. By controlling the degree of polymerization and selecting appropriate terminal functional groups, the lubricant achieves sufficient thermal robustness while remaining compatible with existing manufacturing processes.
3Productivity
If thin film lubricant is applied to achieve optimal head-media spacing, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to reduced lubricant quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant concentrates its functional groups at the interface region (terminal groups at the end of perfluoropolyether chains), creating a high density of bonding sites in the critical head-media spacing region. This local concentration of functionality ensures reliable adhesion even with minimal lubricant quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of perfluoropolyether backbone and terminal functional groups creates a composite structure that provides both the thin film profile needed for optimal head-media spacing and the strong interfacial bonding required for reliability. The dual-function molecular design allows simultaneous achievement of spacing optimization and interface strength.
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions including one or more a central cores having a cyclic group, and a plurality of arms extending from the central cores, wherein the arms comprise perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) or its derivatives. Methods of preparing the compositions are also provided. Methods of preparing storage media that incorporate the compositions therein are further provided.