Patent · US Expired

Shaped-beam laser texturing of magnetic media

US6225595A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
13References
43Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 13, 1999
Grant dateMay 1, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 13, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11B5/74
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Magnetic data storage disks, particularly along dedicated transducing head contact regions, are laser textured according to a process in which beam shaping optical components impart an elliptical or otherwise elongated cross-section to the laser beam. Consequently, individual texturing features such as rims and nodules are elliptical or elongate, with more gradual height gradients in directions parallel to their major axes. The texturing features further are oriented with respect to the direction of transducing head accelerations and decelerations, which yields high performance in terms of reduced flying height, improved glide avalanche, reduced dynamic friction, reduced stiction and better wear characteristics. Texturing features are formed in a variety of patterns, including patterns with adjacent features contacting one another. A further refinement involves forming features with substantially different slopes on opposites sides of a maximum height region.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.