Bi-level surface modification of hard disk media by carbon using filtered cathodic vacuum arc: Reduced overcoat thickness without reduced corrosion performance

摘要: Abstract The corrosion performance of commercial hard disk media which was subjected to bi-level surface modification has been reported. treatment carried out by bombarding the magnetic with C+ ions at 350 eV followed 90 eV using filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA). energy and embedment depth impinging were adjusted applying an optimized bias substrate simulated a Stopping Range Ions in Matter (SRIM) code predicted formation graded atomically mixed layer carbon-media interface. Cross-section transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed 1.8 nm dense nano-layered carbon overcoat structure on media. Despite ~ 33% reduction thickness, modified showed similar that commercially manufactured thicker 2.7 nm. This improvement corrosion/oxidation resistance per unit thickness can be attributed highly sp3 bonded layer, as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) Raman spectroscopy. study demonstrates effectiveness technique forming ultra-thin yet protective for future disks high areal densities.