Planarization of Discrete Track Recording Media to Improve Flyability of Magnetic Recording Sliders

Author

Yoon, Y. ; Choi, C. ; Oh, Y. ; Hong, D. ; Jin, S. ; Talke, F.E.

Author_Institution

Center for Magn. Recording Res., Univ. of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

Volume

45

Issue

10

fYear

2009

Firstpage

3527

Lastpage

3530

Abstract

Discrete track recording (DTR) media which consist of discrete tracks are presently considered a new paradigm to achieve ultra-high areal density in hard disk drives (HDDs). However, due to the presence of the grooves, stable flying of magnetic recording sliders over DTR media is a question of great concern. In this study, planarization of DTR media with hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ), a nonmagnetic material, is investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of planarized disks showed very good ldquogap fillingrdquo properties of HSQ in the groove area during the planarization process. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements indicated that the residual groove depth of planarized DTR media decreases with decreasing rotating speed of the disk during spin-coating. Improved flyability of magnetic recording sliders over DTR media was observed after planarization.

Keywords

atomic force microscopy; disc drives; hard discs; planarisation; scanning electron microscopy; AFM; HDD; SEM; atomic force microscopy; discrete track recording media; gap filling; hard disk drives; hydrogen silsesquioxane; magnetic recording sliders; nonmagnetic material; planarized disks; residual groove depth; rotating speed; scanning electron microscopy; spin-coating; ultrahigh areal density; Discrete track recording (DTR); head-disk interface; patterned media; planarization;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Magnetics, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9464

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TMAG.2009.2024764

Filename

5257372