Effects of Oxygen on Smear Formation in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording System

Abstract

Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is expected to be a realistic next-generation technology for increasing the recording density of hard disks. However, the magnetic layer is heated above the Curie temperature, and, as a result, the heated lubricant is desorbed from the disk by decomposition and evaporation, which causes a problem as it adheres to the air-bearing surface (ABS) as a smear. In this study, pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) analysis was performed in helium and air environments to investigate the decomposition mechanism of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant D-4OH by heating and in the presence of oxygen. In the helium environment, thermal decomposition of the end groups was confirmed at 350°C and above with a possibility of main chain decomposition at 450°C. In the air environment, decomposition of the end group was confirmed at 250°C and above, and decomposition of the main chain was confirmed at 450°C. Experiments using a pin-on-disk tester were conducted to confirm what happens to the area of smear when a thin film of D-4OH lubricant coated on an actual disk is laser heated. As a result, it was confirmed that the area of smear decreased even at an oxygen concentration of 5%.