AVS 47th International Symposium
    Thin Films Tuesday Sessions
       Session TF-TuP

Paper TF-TuP29
Deposition and Properties of Tetrahedral Carbon Films Prepared on Magnetic Hard Disks

Tuesday, October 3, 2000, 5:30 pm, Room Exhibit Hall C & D

Session: Poster Session
Presenter: C.Y. Chan, City University of Hong Kong, China
Authors: C.Y. Chan, City University of Hong Kong, China
K.H. Lai, City University of Hong Kong, China
M.K. Fung, City University of Hong Kong, China
I. Bello, City University of Hong Kong, China
R.F. Huang, City University of Hong Kong, China
C.S. Lee, City University of Hong Kong, China
S.T. Lee, City University of Hong Kong, China
S.P. Wong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
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The areal density of the hard disk doubles every two years. Such substantial increase in disk storage is due to the application of giant magneto-resistance (GMR) heads, new thin film media, and better electronic recording channels. However, such increment cannot be easily attained without reducing the separation between head and magnetic recording medium interface. This can be achieved by using thinner protective overcoating. Here, tetrahedral carbon (ta-C) ultra-thin films were deposited on magnetic hard disk (CoCrTa/Cr/NiP/Al-Mg) by magnetic filtered cathodic arc with variable substrate bias voltage. The resulting films exhibited smoother surfaces than those uncoated disks as indicated by atomic force microscopic measurements and gave rise to a single asymmetric Lorentzian Raman curve shape. Tetrahedral carbon coatings were subjected to an accelerated corrosion test in vapors of concentrated hydrochloric acid for 24 hours. The corrosion test showed the reduced density of corrosion sites when compared to conventional diamond-like carbon (DLC) films. Similarly, the scratch resistance of the ta-C coated disks, investigated by a nano-indenter, showed significant improvement in comparison to DLC films.