Effect of bonded molecules on replenishment of lubricant-depleted area created by sliding on molecularly thin lubricant film

Decreases in head-disk gap have led to great advances in the magnetic recording technology used for hard disk drives. Because the head-disk gap has reached a few nm or less, head-disk contact can occur. Therefore, lubricant replenishment for depleted areas due to the head contact is a crucial issue in designing head-disk interface (HDI); however, the replenishment mechanism for monolayer or submonolayer lubricant films has not yet been fully clarified. Especially, the effect of bonded lubricant has not been investigated, although bonded molecules certainly affect the replenishment process in a significant way.