Ultrathin PFPE/DLC Hybrid Overcoat for Magnetic Disks by Photoelectron-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition.

We developed a new method for using photoelectron-assisted chemical vapor deposition to deposit perfluoropolyether (PFPE) lubricant on a diamond-like carbon (DLC) overcoat. PFPE lubricant in the vapor phase was deposited on the DLC surface of a magnetic disk with a bias voltage between the disk surface and a counter electrode above the disk surface during ultraviolet irradiation. The bias voltage accelerated photoelectron emission from the DLC surface, and the photoelectrons partially dissociated the PFPE molecules in the vapor phase. The dissociated molecules then chemically bonded to the DLC surface. According to the experimental results, the bonded ratio of PFPE molecules to the DLC surface was approximately 100%. An ultrathin PFPE/DLC hybrid overcoat was produced as a monolithic film. This hybrid film exhibited a much lower surface energy than the reference Z-tetraol lubricant film and a high water contact angle of over 100°. This hybrid film can increase the head–media clearance and improve some read/write characteristics by using the actual heads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]