Abstract:
A magnetic medium for use in data recording that has a series of concentric magnetic track portions separated from one another by non-magnetic portions or gap portions. The magnetic portions define data tracks and prevent signals from one track from bleeding into another track. Because the data tracks are distinctly separated, adjacent track interference is completely avoided. The disk may be manufactured by depositing first and second materials sequentially onto a rotating tube, the first and second materials having different etch rates. The tube may then be slided into disks and the disks subjected to a reactive ion etch (RIE) to form a disk surface having concentric raised portions separated by concentric recessed portions. A magnetic material can then be deposited. An optional chemical mechanical polishing process can then be performed to planarize the surface, resulting in a planar surface having rings of magnetic material separated by rings of non-magnetic material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to magnetic data recording, and more particularly to a magnetic disk for use in a disk drive system, wherein the disk is configured with data tracks in the form of concentric rings of magnetic material separated by non-magnetic material or gaps.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The heart of a computer&#39;s long term memory is an assembly that is referred to as a magnetic disk drive. The magnetic disk drive includes a rotating magnetic disk, write and read heads that are suspended by a suspension arm adjacent to a surface of the rotating magnetic disk and an actuator that swings the suspension arm to place the read and write heads over selected circular tracks on the rotating disk. The read and write heads are directly located on a slider that has an air bearing surface (ABS). The suspension arm biases the slider toward the surface of the disk and when the disk rotates, air adjacent to the surface of the disk moves along with the disk. The slider flies on this moving air at a very low elevation (fly height) over the surface of the disk. This fly height is on the order of nanometers. When the slider rides on the air bearing, the write and read heads are employed for writing magnetic transitions to and reading magnetic transitions from the rotating disk. The read and write heads are connected to processing circuitry that operates according to a computer program to implement the writing and reading functions.  
         [0003]     A common write head configuration includes a coil layer embedded in first, second and third insulation layers (insulation stack), the insulation stack being sandwiched between first and second pole piece layers. A gap is formed between the first and second pole piece layers by a gap layer at an air bearing surface (ABS) of the write head and the pole piece layers are connected at a back gap. Current conducted to the coil layer induces a magnetic flux in the pole pieces which causes a magnetic field to fringe out at a write gap at the ABS for the purpose of writing the aforementioned magnetic impressions in tracks on the moving media, such as in circular tracks on the aforementioned rotating disk.  
         [0004]     In recent read head designs a spin valve sensor, also referred to as a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor, has been employed for sensing magnetic fields from the rotating magnetic disk. This sensor includes a nonmagnetic conductive layer, hereinafter referred to as a spacer layer, sandwiched between first and second ferromagnetic layers, hereinafter referred to as a pinned layer and a free layer. First and second leads are connected to the spin valve sensor for conducting a sense current therethrough. The magnetization of the pinned layer is pinned perpendicular to the air bearing surface (ABS) and the magnetic moment of the free layer is biased parallel to the ABS, but is free to rotate in response to external magnetic fields. The magnetization of the pinned layer is typically pinned by exchange coupling with an antiferromagnetic layer.  
         [0005]     The thickness of the spacer layer is chosen to be less than the mean free path of conduction electrons through the sensor. With this arrangement, a portion of the conduction electrons is scattered by the interfaces of the spacer layer with each of the pinned and free layers. When the magnetizations of the pinned and free layers are parallel with respect to one another, scattering is minimal and when the magnetizations of the pinned and free layer are antiparallel, scattering is maximized. Changes in scattering alter the resistance of the spin valve sensor in proportion to cos θ, where θ is the angle between the magnetizations of the pinned and free layers. In a read mode the resistance of the spin valve sensor changes proportionally to the magnitudes of the magnetic fields from the rotating disk. When a sense current is conducted through the spin valve sensor, resistance changes cause potential changes that are detected and processed as playback signals.  
         [0006]     The push for ever increased data rate and data capacity has lead a push for ever decreased track width and increased track density on a magnetic disk. As the data tracks on the disk become smaller and closer together adjacent track interference becomes more and more of a problem. Adjacent track interference occurs when a signal from an adjacent track interferes with the reading of an intended track signal. Adjacent track writing is also a problem. A signal from a write element can affect a track adjacent to the track on which the signal is intended to be written.  
         [0007]     Therefore, there is a strong felt need for a means for avoiding adjacent track interference and adjacent track writing in a disk drive system. Such a mechanism for avoiding adjacent track interference and adjacent track writing would preferably be cost effective and easily manufactured.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention provides a magnetic medium for use in a data recording system. The magnetic medium has concentric magnetic track portions separated by gaps or non-magnetic portions. The magnetic medium is in the form of a disk and has track portions are formed as concentric rings on the surface of the disk.  
         [0009]     The magnetic disk may have raised portions configured as concentric rings and recessed portions configured as concentric rings. The surface can be covered with a magnetic material, so that the raised portions define the track and the recessed portions define a gap between the tracks.  
         [0010]     The magnetic disk may also be configures as a planar surface that includes a plurality of magnetic rings separated by concentric rings of non-magnetic material. The magnetic rings and the non-magnetic rings may have surfaces that are coplanar.  
         [0011]     A magnetic disk according to the present invention, allows the track location and width to be defined by the disk itself and completely eliminates any adjacent track interference. Accordingly, a very clear data signal can be recorded and read without any cross track interference, even at extremely small track widths and high track pitches.  
         [0012]     These and other advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the Figures.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of this invention, as well as the preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are not to scale.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a disk drive system in which the invention might be embodied;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a view of a disk according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a view taken from line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view taken from circle  4  of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a view of a schematic view of a deposition system according to an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a view of a cylinder having alternating concentric layers of material;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross sectional view of a disk sliced from the cylinder of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 7  with a layer of magnetic material deposited;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged cross sectional view of a disk according to an alternate embodiment of the invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of the disk of  FIG. 9  after a polishing process; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  is schematic view illustrating an alternate method of manufacturing a disk according to an embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     The following description is of the best embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out this invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of this invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a disk drive  100  embodying this invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , at least one rotatable magnetic disk  112  is supported on a spindle  114  and rotated by a disk drive motor  118 . The magnetic recording on each disk is in the form of annular patterns of concentric data tracks (not shown) on the magnetic disk  112 .  
         [0027]     At least one slider  113  is positioned near the magnetic disk  112 , each slider  113  supporting one or more magnetic head assemblies  121 . As the magnetic disk rotates, slider  113  moves radially in and out over the disk surface  122  so that the magnetic head assembly  121  may access different tracks of the magnetic disk where desired data are written. Each slider  113  is attached to an actuator arm  119  by way of a suspension  115 . The suspension  115  provides a slight spring force which biases slider  113  against the disk surface  122 . Each actuator arm  119  is attached to an actuator means  127 . The actuator means  127  as shown in  FIG. 1  may be a voice coil motor (VCM). The VCM comprises a coil movable within a fixed magnetic field, the direction and speed of the coil movements being controlled by the motor current signals supplied by controller  129 .  
         [0028]     During operation of the disk storage system, the rotation of the magnetic disk  112  generates an air bearing between the slider  113  and the disk surface  122  which exerts an upward force or lift on the slider. The air bearing thus counter-balances the slight spring force of suspension  115  and supports slider  113  off and slightly above the disk surface by a small, substantially constant spacing during normal operation.  
         [0029]     The various components of the disk storage system are controlled in operation by control signals generated by control unit  129 , such as access control signals and internal clock signals. Typically, the control unit  129  comprises logic control circuits, storage means and a microprocessor. The control unit  129  generates control signals to control various system operations such as drive motor control signals on line  123  and head position and seek control signals on line  128 . The control signals on line  128  provide the desired current profiles to optimally move and position slider  113  to the desired data track on disk  112 . Write and read signals are communicated to and from write and read heads  121  by way of recording channel  125 .  
         [0030]     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a magnetic disk  202  for use in a magnetic disk drive device has a novel magnetic surface  204  that avoids adjacent track interference and adjacent track writing. With reference to  FIG. 3 , the surface  204  can be seen to have concentric rings  206  of magnetic material, each of which can define a data track of data. This can be seen more clearly with reference to  FIG. 4 , which shows a portion of the surface  204  of the disk  202  enlarged and in greater detail. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the disk has magnetic track portions  402  separated by thinner non-magnetic gaps  404 . The track portions  402 , therefore, have a width that defines a track width (TW). The width of the magnetic portion may define a track width of a disk drive system. The magnetic portions  404  may include a material such as NiFe, CoFe, etc. The non-magnetic portion may include a material such as alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) Si 3 N 4 , Si(ON) x , etc. or may simply be an air gap, where the magnetic material in the portion  404  is recessed relative to the track portion  402 .  
         [0031]     With reference to  FIGS. 5-11 , several possible methods for constructing such a disk media are described. With particular reference to  FIG. 5 , a method includes the use of a sputter deposition chamber  502 . The chamber  502  includes at least one, and preferably two ion beam guns  504 , and first and second targets  506 ,  508 . A rod  510  is held within the chamber in such a manner that it can rotate about its axis.  
         [0032]     The first and second targets  506 ,  508  are constructed of materials having different material removal rates when exposed to, for example, a reactive ion etch (RIE). For example, the first target  506  can be constructed of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) while the second target  508  can be constructed of a material such as Si 3 N 4 , SiO 2 , Si(ON) x , Ta, etc.  
         [0033]     Material deposition is performed while the rod  510  is rotating. This is accomplished by activating the ion beam guns  504 , while the rod  510  is rotated. Ion beams  512  from the ion beam guns  504  cause atoms, and or ions  514 ,  516  to be dislodged from the targets  506 ,  508 . These atoms or ions  514 ,  516  are then deposited onto the rotating rod  510 . A divider  518  may be provided between the targets so that material from only one target  506 ,  508  at a time is deposited onto a given portion of the rod  510 .  
         [0034]     As can be seen, the material deposition scheme described with reference to  FIG. 5  allows two different materials to be deposited sequentially, one on top of the other. This results in a rod having a series of concentric layers of alternating materials. With reference now to  FIG. 6 , after deposition, this rod  510  can be sliced into disks  602 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  shows a cross section of only a small portion of the disk  602 . The disk can be polished using a conventional polishing technique such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). As shown in  FIG. 7 , the disk  602  undergoes a material removal process such as a reactive ion etch (RIE)  702 . As mentioned above, the materials  704 ,  706  deposited from targets  506 ,  508  as described in  FIG. 5 , have different etch rates. For example, the first material  704  could be constructed of alumina, and would etch much slower than the second material which might be constructed of Si 3 N 4 , SiO 2 , Si(ON) x , Ta, etc. This results in significant recession of the second material  706 . The reactive ion etch (RIE)  702  can be performed, for example, using a fluorine chemistry such as CHF 3 , CF 4 , CF 6 , etc. Using such a RIE  702 , the materials  704 ,  706  will have very different etch rates. For example, the etch rates of Si 3 N 4  and alumina have a ratio of 10:1.  
         [0036]     In the disk  602  described in  FIG. 7 , the slower etching material  704  has a width W that controls the track width of the disk. With reference to  FIG. 8 , a thin layer of magnetic material  802  is deposited. The magnetic material can be a material such as NiFe, CoFePt, CoFeB or any other material used for disk manufacturing and is preferably deposited by a conformal deposition method such as chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, etc. The width (TW) of the magnetic material across the top of the slower etching material  704  defines the track width. As can be seen, the magnetic material extends down in to a recess between adjacent layers of the first material  704 , providing a gap  804  in the magnetic surface of the disk  602 .  
         [0037]     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , in an alternate embodiment of the invention, a faster etching material can be used for the first set of material layers (track width defining layers)  902 , while a slower etching material can be used for the second set of material layers (gap defining layers)  904 . A reactive ion etch (RIE) results in recession of the first layers  902 . The REI can have a chemistry such as that described above with reference to  FIG. 7 . A magnetic material  906  such as NiFe or CoFe is then deposited, preferably by a conformal deposition method such as chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, etc.  
         [0038]     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , a chemical mechanical polishing process can be performed to planarize the surface  1002  of the disk  602 . This chemical mechanical polishing process results in a surface  1002  having magnetic layers only over the areas of the first (track width defining) material  902 , and not over the areas of the second (gap defining), material  904 . Therefore, as can be seen, the width of the layers of track width defining material  902  defines the trackwidth (TW) of the disk  602 .  
         [0039]     With reference now to  FIG. 11 , another method of constructing a disk is illustrated, and uses a technique that has been referred to as nano-imprint technology. This embodiment could be useful when greater throughput is desired, such that the above described methods become too costly. In this embodiment, a disk  1102  is created, such as by the deposition, and etching methods described with reference to  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7  (or  5 ,  6  and  8 ) except that a magnetic material is not deposited over the disk  1102 . This forms the disk (die)  1102  with a surface having raised concentric rings  1104 . A second disk (workpiece)  1106  is then provided, which may have a thin magnetic layer formed on its surface. The first textured disk  1102 , can then be used as a die to imprint a desired surface shape onto the second disk  1106 . The two disks are arranged so that they face one another, and then are pressed together with great pressure to imprint a series of concentric rings onto the surface of the disk  1006 . If the workpiece disk  1106  is configured with a thin magnetic surface layer prior to pressing the disks  1102 ,  1106  together, then that magnetic surface will be oriented toward the first disk (die)  1102  during the pressing of the disks  1102 ,  1106 . Alternatively, the workpiece disk  1106  can be provided without a magnetic coating. The disks  1102 ,  1106  can then be pressed together to form the desired texture on the second disk (workpiece disk)  1106 , and a magnetic material can be deposited onto the textured surface after the disks  1102 ,  1106  have been pressed together and the desired texture formed on the second disk  1106 .  
         [0040]     A polishing process such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) can then be performed to remove magnetic material only from the raised portions of the disk leaving the recessed portions with a magnetic layer. This would be similar to the process described with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Alternatively, polishing step can be eliminated. In that case, the recessed portions would provide the gap between the magnetic track portions similar to the disk described with reference to  FIG. 8 .  
         [0041]     While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Other embodiments falling within the scope of the invention may also become apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.