Ultra-low profile multidentate lubricant for use as a sub-nanometer thick lubricant layer for magnetic media

According to one embodiment, a lubricant includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether having a chemical structure of: Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re, where Rz includes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where Re and Ri each include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface. According to another embodiment, the aforementioned lubricant may be suitable for use in a sub-nanometer thick lubricant layer for various applications, and particularly useful for magnetic recording media.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lubricants, and more particularly, this invention relates to ultra-low profile multidentate lubricants suitable for use as sub-nanometer thick lubricant layers for various applications, and particularly useful for magnetic recording media.

BACKGROUND

The heart of a computer is a magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) which typically includes a rotating magnetic disk, a slider that has read and write heads, a suspension arm above the rotating disk and an actuator arm that swings the suspension arm to place the read and/or write heads over selected circular tracks on the rotating disk. The suspension arm biases the slider into contact with the surface of the disk when the disk is not rotating but, when the disk rotates, air is swirled by the rotating disk adjacent an air bearing surface (ABS) of the slider causing the slider to ride on an air bearing a slight distance from the surface of the rotating disk. When the slider rides on the air bearing the write and read heads are employed for writing magnetic impressions to and reading magnetic signal fields 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.

The volume of information processing in the information age is increasing rapidly. In particular, HDDs have been desired to store more information in its limited area and volume. A technical approach to meet this desire is to increase the capacity by increasing the recording density of the HDD. To achieve higher recording density, further miniaturization of recording bits is effective, which in turn typically requires the design of smaller and smaller components. This reduction in component size is aided by the ability to maintain the reading and writing elements in a magnetic head in a position closer to the magnetic recording layer of the magnetic medium. This distance between the reading and writing elements and the magnetic recording layer is referred to as the magnetic spacing.

Narrowing the magnetic spacing is a very effective method for improving the recording density of a magnetic recording device, such as a HDD. Reducing the clearance, which is defined as the gap between the lowest point (farthest protruding portion at the ABS) of the magnetic head and the uppermost surface of the magnetic medium has been attempted to reduce the magnetic spacing. A technique used in magnetic recording devices to reduce this clearance relies on thermal expansion of one or more portions of the magnetic head. This thermal expansion is caused by a heater which is positioned near one or more elements of the magnetic head such that applying current to this heater controls the expansion of the one or more portions of the magnetic head to provide a smaller head-to-medium clearance.

However, a smaller clearance may also lead to undesirable interactions between the slider and a lubricant layer of the magnetic medium. Such slider-lubricant interactions may create moguls, ripples, depletions, etc. in the lubricant. Slider-lubricant interactions may also cause the lubricant to accumulate on the leading edge of the slider, thereby negatively affecting the performance of the read and write heads. Moreover, the lubricant accumulated on the leading edge of the slider may fall back onto the magnetic medium's surface, resulting in a lubricant layer having non-uniform thickness. Unfortunately, a non-uniform lubricant layer (e.g. a lubricant layer including moguls, ripples, thicker regions, etc.) may lead to errors during read and/or write operation, as well as allow scratching of the magnetic medium's surface in regions with little to no lubricant.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a lubricant includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether having a chemical structure of: Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re, where Rzincludes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where Reand Rieach include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface.

According to another embodiment, a magnetic medium includes a magnetic recording layer positioned above a non-magnetic substrate; a protective overcoat positioned above the magnetic recording layer; and a lubricant layer positioned above the protective overcoat. The lubricant layer includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether having a chemical structure of: Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re, where Rzincludes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where Reand Rieach include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface.

Any of these embodiments may be implemented in a magnetic data storage system such as a disk drive system, which may include a magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing a magnetic medium (e.g., hard disk) over the magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the magnetic head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As also used herein, the term “about” denotes an interval of accuracy that ensures the technical effect of the feature in question. In various approaches, the term “about” when combined with a value, refers to plus and minus 10% of the reference value. For example, a thickness of about 10 Å refers to a thickness of 10 Å±1 Å.

The following description discloses several preferred embodiments of disk-based storage systems and/or related systems and methods, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof.

In one general embodiment, a lubricant includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether having a chemical structure of: Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re, where Rzincludes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where Reand Rieach include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface.

In another general embodiment, a magnetic medium includes a magnetic recording layer positioned above a non-magnetic substrate; a protective overcoat positioned above the magnetic recording layer; and a lubricant layer positioned above the protective overcoat. The lubricant layer includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether having a chemical structure of: Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re, where Rzincludes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where Reand Rieach include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a disk drive100in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, at least one rotatable magnetic medium (e.g., magnetic disk)112is supported on a spindle114and rotated by a drive mechanism, which may include a disk drive motor118. The magnetic recording on each disk is typically in the form of an annular pattern of concentric data tracks (not shown) on the disk112. Thus, the disk drive motor118preferably passes the magnetic disk112over the magnetic read/write portions121, described immediately below.

At least one slider113is positioned near the disk112, each slider113supporting one or more magnetic read/write portions121, e.g., of a magnetic head according to any of the approaches described and/or suggested herein. As the disk rotates, slider113is moved radially in and out over disk surface122so that portions121may access different tracks of the disk where desired data are recorded and/or to be written. Each slider113is attached to an actuator arm119by means of a suspension115. The suspension115provides a slight spring force which biases slider113against the disk surface122. Each actuator arm119is attached to an actuator127. The actuator127as shown inFIG. 1may 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 controller129.

During operation of the disk storage system, the rotation of disk112generates an air bearing between slider113and disk surface122which exerts an upward force or lift on the slider. The air bearing thus counter-balances the slight spring force of suspension115and supports slider113off and slightly above the disk surface by a small, substantially constant spacing during normal operation. Note that in some embodiments, the slider113may slide along the disk surface122.

The various components of the disk storage system are controlled in operation by control signals generated by controller129, such as access control signals and internal clock signals. Typically, control unit129comprises logic control circuits, storage (e.g., memory), and a microprocessor. In a preferred approach, the control unit129is electrically coupled (e.g., via wire, cable, line, etc.) to the one or more magnetic read/write portions121, for controlling operation thereof. The control unit129generates control signals to control various system operations such as drive motor control signals on line123and head position and seek control signals on line128. The control signals on line128provide the desired current profiles to optimally move and position slider113to the desired data track on disk112. Read and write signals are communicated to and from read/write portions121by way of recording channel125.

An interface may also be provided for communication between the disk drive and a host (integral or external) to send and receive the data and for controlling the operation of the disk drive and communicating the status of the disk drive to the host, all as will be understood by those of skill in the art.

In a typical head, an inductive write portion includes a coil layer embedded in one or more insulation layers (insulation stack), the insulation stack being located 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 portion. The pole piece layers may be connected at a back gap. Currents are conducted through the coil layer, which produce magnetic fields in the pole pieces. The magnetic fields fringe across the gap at the ABS for the purpose of writing bits of magnetic field information in tracks on moving media, such as in circular tracks on a rotating magnetic disk.

The second pole piece layer has a pole tip portion which extends from the ABS to a flare point and a yoke portion which extends from the flare point to the back gap. The flare point is where the second pole piece begins to widen (flare) to form the yoke. The placement of the flare point directly affects the magnitude of the magnetic field produced to write information on the recording medium.

FIG. 2Aillustrates, schematically, a conventional recording medium such as used with magnetic disc recording systems, such as that shown inFIG. 1. This medium is utilized for recording magnetic impulses in or parallel to the plane of the medium itself. The recording medium, a recording disc in this instance, comprises basically a supporting substrate200of a suitable non-magnetic material such as glass, with an overlying coating202of a suitable and conventional magnetic layer.

FIG. 2Bshows the operative relationship between a conventional recording/playback head204, which may preferably be a thin film head, and a conventional recording medium, such as that ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 2Cillustrates, schematically, the orientation of magnetic impulses substantially perpendicular to the surface of a recording medium as used with magnetic disc recording systems, such as that shown inFIG. 1. For such perpendicular recording the medium typically includes an under layer212of a material having a high magnetic permeability. This under layer212is then provided with an overlying coating214of magnetic material preferably having a high coercivity relative to the under layer212.

FIG. 2Dillustrates the operative relationship between a perpendicular head218and a recording medium. The recording medium illustrated inFIG. 2Dincludes both the high permeability under layer212and the overlying coating214of magnetic material described with respect toFIG. 2Cabove. However, both of these layers212and214are shown applied to a suitable substrate216. Typically there is also an additional layer (not shown) called an “exchange-break” layer or “interlayer” between layers212and214.

In this structure, the magnetic lines of flux extending between the poles of the perpendicular head218loop into and out of the overlying coating214of the recording medium with the high permeability under layer212of the recording medium causing the lines of flux to pass through the overlying coating214in a direction generally perpendicular to the surface of the medium to record information in the overlying coating214of magnetic material preferably having a high coercivity relative to the under layer212in the form of magnetic impulses having their axes of magnetization substantially perpendicular to the surface of the medium. The flux is channeled by the soft underlying coating212back to the return layer (P1) of the head218.

FIG. 2Eillustrates a similar structure in which the substrate216carries the layers212and214on each of its two opposed sides, with suitable recording heads218positioned adjacent the outer surface of the magnetic coating214on each side of the medium, allowing for recording on each side of the medium.

FIG. 3Ais a cross-sectional view of a perpendicular magnetic head. InFIG. 3A, helical coils310and312are used to create magnetic flux in the stitch pole308, which then delivers that flux to the main pole306. Coils310indicate coils extending out from the page, while coils312indicate coils extending into the page. Stitch pole308may be recessed from the ABS318. Insulation316surrounds the coils and may provide support for some of the elements. The direction of the media travel, as indicated by the arrow to the right of the structure, moves the media past the lower return pole314first, then past the stitch pole308, main pole306, trailing shield304which may be connected to the wrap around shield (not shown), and finally past the upper return pole302. Each of these components may have a portion in contact with the ABS318. The ABS318is indicated across the right side of the structure.

Perpendicular writing is achieved by forcing flux through the stitch pole308into the main pole306and then to the surface of the disk positioned towards the ABS318.

FIG. 3Billustrates a piggyback magnetic head having similar features to the head ofFIG. 3A. Two shields304,314flank the stitch pole308and main pole306. Also sensor shields322,324are shown. The sensor326is typically positioned between the sensor shields322,324.

FIG. 4Ais a schematic diagram of one embodiment which uses looped coils410, sometimes referred to as a pancake configuration, to provide flux to the stitch pole408. The stitch pole then provides this flux to the main pole406. In this orientation, the lower return pole is optional. Insulation416surrounds the coils410, and may provide support for the stitch pole408and main pole406. The stitch pole may be recessed from the ABS418. The direction of the media travel, as indicated by the arrow to the right of the structure, moves the media past the stitch pole408, main pole406, trailing shield404which may be connected to the wrap around shield (not shown), and finally past the upper return pole402(all of which may or may not have a portion in contact with the ABS418). The ABS418is indicated across the right side of the structure. The trailing shield404may be in contact with the main pole406in some embodiments.

FIG. 4Billustrates another type of piggyback magnetic head having similar features to the head ofFIG. 4Aincluding a looped coil410, which wraps around to form a pancake coil. Also, sensor shields422,424are shown. The sensor426is typically positioned between the sensor shields422,424.

InFIGS. 3B and 4B, an optional heater is shown near the non-ABS side of the magnetic head. A heater (Heater) may also be included in the magnetic heads shown inFIGS. 3A and 4A. The position of this heater may vary based on design parameters such as where the protrusion is desired, coefficients of thermal expansion of the surrounding layers, etc.

Except as otherwise described herein, the various components of the structures ofFIGS. 3A-4Bmay be of conventional materials and design, as would be understood by one skilled in the art.

As discussed previously, lubricants, such as boundary lubricants, may be used in various mechanical devices, including magnetic hard disk drives and other microelectronic mechanical systems. Boundary lubricants may form a lubricant layer when one or more functional groups of the lubricant attach to the surface being lubricated. For instance, one or more boundary lubricants may form a lubricant layer on a magnetic medium (e.g. a magnetic disk) that moves relative to other parts in the mechanic device. This lubricant layer may help to protect the magnetic medium from frictional wear and/or damage caused by interactions between the magnetic medium and other parts in the mechanical device (e.g. slider-magnetic medium interactions). In other words, this boundary layer may help limit solid-to-solid contact.

FIG. 5illustrates a boundary lubricant500, according to one approach. As shown inFIG. 5, the boundary lubricant500includes a main chain segment502, as well as attachment segments504positioned on either end of the main chain segment502. A main chain segment may refer to a continuous segment/portion/part of a lubricant molecule that includes at least one perflouropolyalkyl ether unit according to various approaches. A main chain segment may also include, in addition to the at least one perflouropolyalkyl ether unit, one or more fluoroalkyl ether units and/or one or more alkyl ether units, according to more approaches. An attachment segment may refer to a continuous segment/portion/part of the lubricant that includes at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface to be lubricated according to yet more approaches.

One example of a boundary lubricant having the structure shown inFIG. 5is Z-Tetraol. The molecular structure of Z-Tetraol is illustrated inFIG. 6, with annotations specifying the main chain and attachment segments. The “n” and “p” subscripts associated with the —(CF2CF2O)n— and —(CF2O)p— units in the main chain segment shown inFIG. 6each individually correspond to integers greater than zero.

Boundary lubricants having the structure shown inFIG. 5, such as Z-Tetraol, typically have a single, long, high molecular weight (MW) main chain segment. A high molecular weight may refer to a molecular weight greater than or equal to about 3000 amu, in various approaches. While a long, heavy main chain segment may be less prone to evaporation, it may create potential magnetic head-disk clearance issues. For example, a boundary lubricant having a long, high MW main chain segment, which is tethered to a surface at both ends by attachment segments, has multiple degrees of freedom that may allow a portion (e.g. a middle portion) of the main chain segment to lift up from the surface and interact with a magnetic head positioned above. Unfortunately, merely decreasing the molecular weight of the single main chain segment to achieve an improved head-disk clearance margin may inevitably lead to evaporation issues, as molecular weight inversely and exponentially varies with vapor pressure. Likewise, merely decreasing the molecular weight of the single main chain segment may also decrease the effective viscosity of the lubricant, which has a linear, inverse relationship with molecular weight, leading to possible spin-off issues.

FIG. 7illustrates another boundary lubricant700, according to one approach. As shown inFIG. 7, the boundary lubricant700includes two main chain segments702, each of which have the same molecular structure. The boundary lubricant700also includes two end attachments segments704and a middle attachment segment706. Specifically, there is an end attachment segment704at one end of each main segment702, and a middle attachment segment706at the other end of each main chain segment702. In some approaches, the end and middle attachment segments704,706may have the same or different molecular structures.

Each main chain segment in the boundary lubricant700may be shorter and have a lower MW as compared to the single main chain segment of a boundary lubricant having the structure shown inFIG. 5. For example, in one approach, each main chain segment702in the boundary lubricant700ofFIG. 7may have a MW that is approximately half of the MW of the main chain segment502of the boundary lubricant500shown inFIG. 5. Shorter and/or lighter main chain segments, tethered to a surface by end and/or middle attachment groups, may extend above the surface at a smaller height compared to a longer, heavier main chain segment, thereby improving head-disk clearance margin. Moreover, reducing the potential for head-disk interactions using a boundary lubricant having two shorter and/or lighter main chain segments (e.g. boundary lubricant700ofFIG. 7) may not necessarily come at the expense of increasing evaporation issues. For instance, such a boundary lubricant has two main chain segments and three attachment segments; thus, the overall MW of the lubricant may not be reduced to the point where evaporation is problematic.

One example of a boundary lubricant having the structure shown inFIG. 7is Z-Tetraol Multidentate (ZTMD). The molecular structure of ZTMD is illustrated inFIG. 8, with annotations specifying the main chain and attachment segments. The “n” and “p” subscripts associated with the (CF2CF2O)n— and —(CF2O)p— units in the main chain segment shown inFIG. 8each individually correspond to integers greater than zero.

FIG. 9illustrates yet another boundary lubricant900, according to one approach. As shown inFIG. 9, the boundary lubricant900includes two outer main chain segments902, each of which have the same molecular structure. There is an end attachment segment904at one end of each outer main chain segment902, and an inner attachment segment906at the other end of each outer main chain segment902. In various approaches, the molecular structure of the end and inner attachment segments904,906may be the same or different.

The boundary lubricant also includes a middle main chain segment908. This middle chain segment908has a molecular structure that is different from the two outer main chain segments902. As illustrated inFIG. 9, there are two middle inner attachment segments906positioned on either end of the middle main chain segment908.

In numerous approaches, the MW of the main chain segments (e.g. the outer and/or middle main chain segments902,908) in the boundary lubricant900may be shorter and/or have a lower MW as compared to the main chain segments of the boundary lubricants shown inFIGS. 5-8. Accordingly, in such approaches the potential for head-disk interaction may be further reduced using the boundary lubricant900ofFIG. 9as compared to using the boundary lubricants ofFIG. 5-8. Furthermore, as the boundary lubricant900ofFIG. 9has three main chain segments and four attachment segments; the overall MW of the lubricant may also not be reduced to the point where evaporation is problematic.

One example of a boundary lubricant having the structure shown inFIG. 9is 24TMD. The molecular structure of 24TMD is illustrated inFIG. 10, with annotations specifying the main chain and attachment segments. As shown inFIG. 10, the end main chain segments each include at least one perfluorobutyl ether unit, —(CF2CF2O)n—, where “n” is an integer greater than zero. As also shown inFIG. 10, the middle chain segment includes at least one perfluorobutyl ether unit, —(CF2CF2CF2CF2O)m—, where “m” is an integer greater than zero. Higher CF2content in perfluoropolyalkyl ether units typically results in less rotational degrees of freedom, greater main chain rigidity, and less lubricity (e.g. the ability to reduce friction between moving surfaces) of the overall lubricant.

In preferred approaches, a boundary lubricant has the structure illustrated inFIG. 11. As shown inFIG. 11, the boundary lubricant1100includes two outer main chain segments1102, each of which may have the same molecular structure. There is an end attachment segment1104at one end of each outer main chain segment1102, and an inner attachment segment1106at the other end of each outer main chain segment1102. In various approaches, the molecular structure of the end and inner attachment segments1104,1106may be the same or different. The preferred embodiments overcome the drawbacks associated with the other approaches discussed above.

The boundary lubricant also includes a middle main chain segment1108. The molecular structures of the middle chain segment1108and the two outer main chain segments1102are preferably the same. As illustrated inFIG. 11, there are two middle inner attachment segments1106positioned on either end of the middle main chain segment1108.

A representative molecular structure of the boundary lubricant1100ofFIG. 11is shown inFIG. 12, according to one embodiment. As shown inFIG. 12, the end and inner attachment groups each comprise two functional groups X, where each X is configured to attach to a surface to be lubricated. In some approaches, each of the functional groups X may be independently selected from a group consisting of: a hydroxyl group, a piperonyl group, an amine group, a carboxylic acid, a phosphazene group, and a combination thereof. In preferred approaches, each X may be a hydroxyl group.

As shown inFIG. 12, each of the main chain segments (Rz) include at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, —(CF2CF2O)n—, where “n” is an integer greater than zero. In various approaches, “n” may be two. A boundary lubricant having the molecular structure shown inFIG. 12may have a lower CF2content as compared to 24TMD, which has a main chain segment with at least one perfluorobutyl ether unit. Accordingly, the boundary lubricant ofFIG. 12may be less rigid and have better lubricity than 24TMD.

As used herein in various approaches, a boundary lubricant having the molecular structure shown inFIG. 12, where each main chain segment includes two perfluoroethyl ether units (i.e. —(CF2CF2O)2—), and where each X functional group in the end and inner attachment segments is a hydroxyl group, may be referred to herein as 2TMD.

FIG. 13illustrates a plot of the average main chain molecular weight (amu) versus dewetting thickness (Å) for 2TMD and various other boundary lubricants, such as those shown inFIGS. 5-10(e.g. Z-Tetraol, ZTMD, and 24TMD). Other lubricants also shown inFIG. 13include polytetramethylene glycol diepoxide and 4TMD. 4TMD has a molecular structure similar to 24TMD with the exception that all of the main chain segments (i.e. the two end main chain segments and middle main chain segment) of 4TMD include at least one perfluorobutyl ether unit, —(CF2CF2CF2CF2O)m—, where “m” is an integer greater than zero. As evidenced byFIG. 13, the average MW of a main chain segment in 2TMD is lower than the average MW of the main chain segments in the other boundary lubricants. Accordingly, the potential for head-disk interactions may be further reduced using 2TMD as compared to using the other boundary lubricants.

As also shown inFIG. 13, 2TMD possesses the lowest dewetting thickness as compared to the other boundary lubricants (e.g. Z-Tetraol, ZTMD, 24TMD, etc.). Dewetting generally refers to instances where a solid or liquid film on a surface retracts from the surface by forming discrete droplets or islands. The dewetting thickness is the thickness of the film at which dewetting occurs.

Moreover, it is important to note that while the average MW of 2TMD's main chain segment may be lower than that for the other boundary lubricants shown inFIG. 13, 2TMD does not necessarily suffer from increased evaporation issues. For instance, as noted above, 2TMD has three main chain segments and four attachment segments; thus, the overall MW of the lubricant may not be reduced at the expense of increasing vapor pressure (evaporation).

Now referring toFIG. 14, a magnetic medium1400having a lubricant layer is shown, according to one embodiment. The magnetic medium1400may be any type of magnetic media known in the art, such as a hard disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, etc. As an option, the magnetic medium1400may be implemented in conjunction with features from any other embodiment listed herein, such as those described with reference to the other FIGS. Of course, the magnetic medium1400and others presented herein may be used in various applications and/or in permutations which may or may not be specifically described in the illustrative embodiments listed herein. Moreover, more or less layers than those specifically described inFIG. 14may be included in the magnetic medium1400according to various embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 14, the magnetic medium1400may include a non-magnetic substrate1402(e.g., a glass substrate), and an adhesion layer1404positioned above the substrate1402. The adhesion layer1404is configured to promote coupling of layers formed thereabove. A soft underlayer1406is positioned above the adhesion layer1404to promote data recording in the magnetic recording layer1410. Additionally, an underlayer1408is positioned above the soft underlayer1406to promote formation of the magnetic recording layer1410with good magnetic properties. The magnetic recording layer1410is positioned above the underlayer1408and is configured to record data therein. As also shown inFIG. 14, a protective overcoat1412is positioned above the magnetic recording layer1410and is configured to protect the magnetic recording layer from wear, corrosion, etc. Finally, the upper surface of the magnetic medium1400may be coated with lubricant layer1414comprising a boundary lubricant.

In one embodiment, the lubricant layer1414may include a multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant having a molecular structure according to formula (1):
Re—Rz—Ri—Rz—Ri—Rz—Re.  (1)
In one approach, Rz(also referred to as an end attachment segment) may include at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit. In some approaches, this at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit may have a molecular structure according to formula (2):
—(CF2CF2O)n—,  (2)
where n is an integer greater than zero. In various approaches n may be an integer in a range from 0 to 10. In preferred approaches, n is 2-6.

In another approach, each Rzsegment may have a molecular structure according to formula (3):
—OCH2CF2O—(CF2CF2O)n—CF2CH2O—,  (3)
where n is 1 or 10. In yet more approaches, each Rzsegment may have a molecular weight between about 300 amu to about 1350 amu.

In various approaches, each Reand Risegment in formula (1) includes at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface (e.g. the protective overcoat1412shown inFIG. 14). In one approach, each Reand Risegment may include two functional groups configured to attach to a surface. Each of the functional groups present in the Reand Risegments may be independently selected from a group consisting of: a hydroxyl group, a piperonyl group, an amine group, a carboxylic acid, a phosphazene group, and a combination thereof, in numerous approaches. In preferred approaches, the functional groups in the Reand Risegments may be hydroxyl groups.

In particular approaches, each Resegment (also referred to an end attachment segment) may have a molecular structure according to formula (4):

where each X is independently selected from a group consisting of: a hydroxyl group, a piperonyl group, an amine group, a phosphazene group, and a combination thereof.

In yet other approaches, each Risegment (also referred to as an inner attachment segment) may have a molecular structure according to formula (5):

where each X is independently selected from a group consisting of: a hydroxyl group, a piperonyl group, an amine group, a phosphazene group, and a combination thereof.

In further approaches, the multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant in the lubricant layer1414may have an average MW in a range from about 1000 amu to about 6000 amu.

An exemplary multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant in the lubricant layer1414may have the general molecular structure shown inFIG. 12. In particular approaches, the multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant in the lubricant layer may be 2TMD, having the molecular formula:
CH2(OH)CH(OH)CH2OCH2CF2O(CF2CF2O)2CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CF2O(CF2CF2O)2CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2CF2O(CF2CF2O)2CF2CH2OCH2CH(OH)CH2(OH).
2TMD may exhibit various desirable and advantageous physical characteristics and properties such as thickness, uniformity, bonded percentage, clearance, durability, flyability, glide yield, and contamination robustness, as defined in the Comparative Examples described below.

With continued reference toFIG. 14, the thickness of the lubricant layer1414may be between about 7 Å to about 8 Å, according to another embodiment.

Again with reference toFIG. 14, the magnetic medium1400may be a component in a magnetic data storage system, according to a further embodiment. This magnetic data storage may also include at least one magnetic head, a drive mechanism for passing the magnetic recording medium1400over the at least one magnetic head, and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one magnetic head for controlling operation of the at least one magnetic head.

Now referring toFIG. 16, a method1600for forming a magnetic medium having a boundary lubricant is shown according to one embodiment. As an option, the method1600may be implemented to construct structures such as those shown in the other figures. Of course, this method1600and others presented herein may be used to form magnetic structures for a wide variety of devices and/or purposes which may or may not be related to magnetic recording. Further, the methods presented herein may be carried out in any desired environment. It should also be noted that any aforementioned features may be used in any of the embodiments described in accordance with the various methods.

As shown inFIG. 16, the method1600includes forming a recording layer above a non-magnetic substrate. See operation1602. In various approaches, the method1600may also include forming other layers positioned between the non-magnetic substrate and the magnetic recording layer. These other layers may include, for example, one or more underlayers, soft underlayers, adhesion layers, etc.

As also shown inFIG. 16, the method1600includes forming a protective overcoat above the magnetic recording layer. See operation1604. The method1600further includes forming a lubricant layer above the protective overcoat. See operation1606. This lubricant layer includes a multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant having a molecular structure according to formula (1) above, where each main chain segment (Rz) includes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit, and where each end and inner attachment segment (Reand Ri, respectively) include at least one functional group configured to attach to a surface to be lubricated. In preferred approaches, the multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant may be 2TMD.

In various embodiments, the lubricant layer can be formed on the magnetic medium, specifically over the protective overcoat, via a dip coating method. For instance, in one approach, the magnetic medium having the protective overcoat thereon may be dipped into a lubricant bath including the multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant and a fluorocarbon solvent such as Vertrel-XF. After a predetermined amount of time, the magnetic medium may be removed from the lubricant bath at a controlled rate. The solvent may then evaporate, leaving behind a lubricant layer comprising the multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant. The percentage of the multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricants remaining on the surface of the magnetic medium after lubrication may refer to the bonded percentage. The bonding percentage may be quantified for various time periods by exposing the lubricated magnetic medium with the solvent used in the lubricant bath.

The thickness of the lubricant layer may be tuned by controlling the submergence duration of the magnetic medium in the lubricant bath, the rate at which the magnetic medium is removed from the coating solution, and/or the concentration of the boundary lubricant (e.g. the multidentate perfluoropolyether boundary lubricant) in the lubricant bath. For example,FIG. 17illustrates a plot of the lubricant bath concentration versus resulting lubricant thickness for both 2TMD and ZTMD. As shown inFIG. 16, variation of the 2TMD concentration in the lubricant bath may not significantly affect and/or increase the resulting thickness of a 2TMD lubricant layer. In contrast, small variations in ZTMD concentration lead to significant increases in the thickness of a ZTMD lubricant layer. Consequently, the ability to control the thickness and/or uniformity of ZTMD lubricant layer during manufacture may be more difficult as compared to the manufacture of a 2TMD lubricant layer.

In preferred approaches, the concentration of 2TMD in the lubricant bath may be between about 0.1 g/L to about 0.2 g/L. In yet other preferred approaches, the concentration of 2TMD in the lubricant bath may be selected so as to achieve a resulting 2TMD lubricant layer with a thickness between about 7 Å to about 8 Å.

It is important to note that formation of the lubricant layer on the surface of the magnetic medium, specifically on the surface of the protective overcoat, is not limited to dip coating, but may also involve spin coating, spray coating, a vapor deposition, a combination thereof, or any other suitable coating process as would be understood by one having skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure.

Comparative Examples

A lubricant layer having 2TMD is compared/tested relative to a lubricant layer having ZTMD for contamination robustness, bonding percentage, uniformity, clearance, bit error rate improvement, head wear rate, flyability, and glide yield.

For the majority of the comparative examples, a 2TMD layer having a thickness of about 7 Å is compared/tested relative to a ZTMD lubricant layer having a thickness of about 10 Å. Reducing lubricant layer thickness on a magnetic medium is one approach to reduce head-media spacing (e.g. the clearance). However, low lubricant layer thicknesses (e.g. ≦10 Å) are typically associated with several limitations, such as the inability to control uniformity of the lubricant layer during manufacture, lower glide yields, high TFC wear, higher surface energies and thus increased adsorption of chemical contaminants, etc. Yet, it has been surprising and unexpectedly discovered that a 2TMD layer having a thickness of about 7 Å exhibits physical characteristics and properties that are comparable and/or superior to a ZTMD lubricant layer having a thickness of about 10 Å, as evidenced below.

Contamination Robustness

Contamination robustness may be quantified by exposing a lubricant layer to contaminants (e.g. organic contaminants, hydrocarbon carbon contaminants, siloxane contaminants, etc.). For example,FIGS. 18 and 19illustrates thickness of a ZTMD lubricant layer and a 2TMD lubricant layer versus siloxane amount, respectively. Comparison ofFIGS. 18 and 19reveals that the amount of siloxane contamination in the 2TMD lubricant layer at low thicknesses (e.g. below 10 Å) is significantly less than that for the ZTMD lubricant layer. For instance, a ZTMD lubricant layer with 8 Å thickness has a siloxane amount of about 160 ng/disk, whereas a 2TMD lubricant layer with 8 Å thickness only has a siloxane amount of about 5 ng/disk. Accordingly, the thickness of a 2TMD lubricant layer may be reduced to a greater extent than a ZTMD lubricant layer without significantly sacrificing contamination robustness.

Bonding Percentage

The percentage of a boundary lubricant remaining on the surface of the magnetic medium after lubrication may refer to the bonded percentage. The bonding percentage may be quantified for various time periods by exposing the lubricated magnetic medium with a solvent used during the lubrication process (e.g. a solvent used in a lubricant bath). As shown inFIG. 20, the bonding percentages of a 2TMD lubricant layer and a ZTMD lubricant layer are comparable over a time period ranging from 0 to about 350 hours after lubrication.

Uniformity

As discussed above, achieving a lubricant layer with a low thickness may come at the expense of the layer's resulting uniformity. However, it has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that the uniformity of a 7 Å thick 2TMD lubricant layer is comparable and/or better than a 10 Å thick lubricant layer having ZTMD or low MW ZTMD. SeeFIG. 21. For reference low MW ZTMD refers to ZTMD with a MW of about 1650 amu, whereas high MW ZTMD refers to ZTMD with a MW of about 2950 amu. As shown inFIG. 21, uniformity is quantified by measuring the thickness of a lubricant layer at various points on the magnetic medium.

Moreover, it has been also been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that there is a greater ability to control the uniformity of a 2TMD lubricant layer during manufacture (e.g. during lubrication) as compared to a ZTMD lubricant layer. For example, a lubricant layer may be applied to a surface of a magnetic medium by dipping the magnetic medium into a lubricant bath containing the boundary lubricant to be applied and a solvent. The concentration of the boundary lubricant in the lubricant bath may be one factor which affects the resulting thickness of the lubricant layer. As shown inFIG. 17, small changes in ZTMD concentration in the lubricant bath may result in substantial changes in the resulting ZTMD lubricant layer thickness. In contrast, there is less concern about variations in the 2TMD concentration in the lubricant bath, as minor changes may result in only minor changes the resulting 2TMD lubricant layer thickness (e.g. change in thickness of less than about 2 Å over a concentration range from about 0.05 g/L to about 0.275 g/L).

Clearance and Bit Error Rate Improvement

One approach for improving the areal recording density of HDDs involves narrowing the physical head-disk spacing, or clearance. HDDs may use thermal flight control (TFC) technology to reduce head-disk clearance, where a heater controls thermal deformation of one or more portions of the magnetic head to bring it closer to the disk. The heater power required to make the head touch the disk is known as the touch down power (TDP). Accordingly, measuring the TDP provides one way in which to derive the head-disk clearance.FIG. 22provides several TDP measurements for three different lubricant layers. As shown inFIG. 22, the average TDP power associated with the 7 Å 2TMD lubricant layer is comparable/similar to the average TDP associated with the 10 Å ZTMD lubricant layer and 10 Å low MW ZTMD lubricant layer.

Furthermore, as shown below in Table 1, there is a small bit error rate (BER) advantage associated with spacing.

Head Wear

As discussed previously, a skilled artisan would expect that decreasing the thickness of a lubricant layer would inevitably result in increased head wear. However, it has been surprisingly and unexpectedly found that such is not the case for a 2TMD lubricant layer having a thickness as low as 7 Å. For instance, as shown inFIG. 23, the head wear rate of a 7 Å thick 2TMD lubricant layer is comparable/similar to the head wear rate of a 10 Å thick ZTMD, or low MW ZTMD, lubricant layer. While not shown inFIG. 23, a 7 Å thick ZTMD, or low MW ZTMD, lubricant layer has a head wear rate above the maximum permissible head wear rate specified by the dotted line.

Flyability issues may arise where a lubricant accumulates on the head during flying of the head over the disk. Flyability may thus be quantified by measuring lubricant pickup. Flyability data is provided inFIG. 24for a 7 Å thick 2TMD lubricant layer, a 10 Å thick ZTMD lubricant layer and a 10 Å thick low MW ZTMD lubricant layer. The data shows improvement in flyability with decreased amount of lubricant that was picked up by the slider.

Glide Yield

Glide yield refers to the percentage of disks having a lubricant layer thereon that successfully pass a glide test/process. A disk having a lubricant layer thereon, and which has preferably been subjected to a polishing process, may nevertheless contain defects, such as asperities. Accordingly, during a glide test/process, a head having a piezoelectric sensor thereon flies at a predetermined distance from the disk and senses any asperities that protrude higher than the predetermined head fly height. In the glide tests described herein, this predetermined fly height is 6 nm. A disk having a lubricant thereon which does contain asperities greater than the predetermined fly height is rejected (e.g. does not pass the glide test/process).

Glide yield provides insight into disk surface morphology and the lubricity of the lubricant layer. After a lubricant layer has been applied to a disk, e.g. via a dip coating process, the disk may be polished to remove and/or reduce the presence of any asperities. Where a lubricant layer comprises a boundary lubricant with poor lubricity, this polishing process may not effectively remove and/or reduce asperities and may actually result in additional debris being stuck to the disk surface. Thus, disks having a lubricant layer with poor lubricity will typically have a lower glide yield as compared to disks having a highly lubricious lubricant layer. Glide yield data for a 7 Å thick 2TMD lubricant layer and a 10 Å thick ZTMD lubricant layer are present below in Table 2.

TABLE 2Lubricant and target thicknessAverage thicknessGlide yieldZTMD (10 Å)10.08 ± 0.14 Å932TMD (7 Å)7.21 ± 0.19 Å96
While not presented in Table 2, it has been discovered by the inventors that a 7 Å thick ZTMD lubricant layer exhibits such poor lubricity that the glide yield is about zero.

It should be noted that methodology presented herein for at least some of the various embodiments may be implemented, in whole or in part, in computer hardware, software, by hand, using specialty equipment, etc. and combinations thereof.

Moreover, any of the structures and/or steps may be implemented using known materials and/or techniques, as would become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the present specification.