Method of texturing a landing zone

Abstract

A method and apparatus for texturing a landing zone on a substrate of a magnetic disk to reduce stiction between a magnetic transducer head and the disk is provided. The method includes projecting discrete pressurized fluid droplets to impact a substrate surface of the substrate with sufficient momentum to form cavities in a selected annular area of the substrate surface, the selected annular area with cavities therein being of sufficient width to provide a textured landing zone for the magnetic transducer head. A magnetic disk for storing data readable by a transducer head is also provided. The disk includes a rigid substrate. A textured landing zone is provided on the disk for engaging the transducer head. The textured landing zone is formed by the steps of directing a stream of discrete pressurized fluid droplets against the substrate to create roughness therein and moving the substrate and stream of droplets relative to one another in order to create an annular area of roughness. An underlayer is deposited over the substrate with the underlayer substantially replicating a surface topography of the substrate. A magnetic layer is deposited over the underlayer with the magnetic layer substantially replicating a surface topography of the underlayer and a cover layer is deposited over the magnetic layer with the cover layer substantially replicating a surface topography of the magnetic layer.