Patent ID: 9384773
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: G11B

Claim Text:
1. A method for improving magnetic stability of an ion-implanted bit-patterned medium, the method comprising: providing a medium, the medium comprising a magnetic layer and a substrate, wherein the magnetic layer comprises migrating components; forming a patterned mask layer on the surface of the magnetic layer; ion-implanting the medium through the patterned mask layer, wherein the exposed portions of the magnetic layer comprise trench regions, the covered portions of the magnetic layer comprise island regions, and the transition areas between the trench regions and the island regions comprise boundary regions, wherein the island regions have more favorable magnetic properties than the trench regions; removing the patterned mask layer from the surface of the magnetic layer; after removing the patterned mask layer from the surface of the magnetic layer, applying a protective layer over the surface of the magnetic layer; and after ion-implanting the medium and applying the protective layer over the magnetic layer, increasing a remanent magnetization rating of the magnetic layer by annealing the medium; wherein, upon annealing, the migrating components diffuse from inside the island regions towards the trench regions resulting in the trench regions having a comparatively higher concentration of migrating components than the island regions.