Seagate Technology Incorporated

Steve Hwang

Connie C Liu

Edward T Yen

Mason Lu

Kueir Weei Chour

Michael Zyee-Shan Wu

Lynn Li

Liji Huang

Chung Yuang Shih

Weilu Hang Xu

Yuanda Randy Cheng

Taesun Ernest Kim

Roger Shih

Kueir Weii Chour

A corrosion-resistant granular magnetic recording medium with improved recording performance comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a layer stack on the substrate surface, including, in order from the surface: a granular magnetic recording layer; an intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer; and a corrosion preventing magnetic cap layer. The intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer has an optimal thickness and/or composition for: (1) promoting magnetic exchange de-coupling between the granular magnetic recording layer and the magnetic cap layer; and (2) reducing the dynamic closure field (H) for determining writeability and eraseability of the medium. Grain boundaries of the magnetic cap layer are substantially oxide-free, and have a greater density and lower average porosity and surface roughness than those of the granular magnetic recording layer.

Corrosion resistant granular magnetic stack

Corrosion-resistant granular magnetic media with improved recording performance and methods of manufacturing same

A flash chromium capping layer is deposited on a magnetic layer for improved corrosion resistance, reduced poisoning due to the absence of a protective overcoat or presence of discontinuities in a protective overcoat, and for reduced media noise do to inter-granular exchange coupling. Embodiments include depositing a flash chromium layer having a thickness up to about 10 &angst; on an upper magnetic layer and depositing an overlying lubricant topcoat. An optional protective overcoat, such as a carbon-containing protective overcoat, can also be deposited on the chromium capping layer. The chromium capping layer forms a protective oxide coating where exposed, as due to the absence of or at discontinuities in the protective overcoat.

Magnetic thin film media with chromium capping layer

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

Steve Hwang