U.S. patent application number 13/596129 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-18 for heat assisted magnetic recording (hamr) heads including components made of nickel alloys.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Christopher Kautzky, Edwin Rejda, Steven Carl Riemer, Sarbeswar Sahoo, Ibro Tabakovic. Invention is credited to Michael Christopher Kautzky, Edwin Rejda, Steven Carl Riemer, Sarbeswar Sahoo, Ibro Tabakovic.
Application Number | 20130182545 13/596129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46726505 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130182545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sahoo; Sarbeswar ; et
al. |
July 18, 2013 |
HEAT ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING (HAMR) HEADS INCLUDING COMPONENTS
MADE OF NICKEL ALLOYS
Abstract
A magnetic device that includes a write pole having a write pole
tip; a read pole having a read pole tip; an optical near field
transducer; and a contact pad. The contact pad includes
Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a, wherein X is chosen from Ru, Re, Zr, Cr, and
Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the element X, and can range
from about 20 to about 90. The optical near field transducer is
positioned between the read pole and the write pole and the contact
pad is positioned adjacent the write pole opposite the optical near
field transducer.
Inventors: |
Sahoo; Sarbeswar; (Shakopee,
MN) ; Rejda; Edwin; (Bloomington, MN) ;
Tabakovic; Ibro; (Edina, MN) ; Riemer; Steven
Carl; (Minneapolis, MN) ; Kautzky; Michael
Christopher; (Eagan, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sahoo; Sarbeswar
Rejda; Edwin
Tabakovic; Ibro
Riemer; Steven Carl
Kautzky; Michael Christopher |
Shakopee
Bloomington
Edina
Minneapolis
Eagan |
MN
MN
MN
MN
MN |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
46726505 |
Appl. No.: |
13/596129 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13350943 |
Jan 16, 2012 |
8259540 |
|
|
13596129 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
369/13.33 ;
G9B/11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 5/314 20130101;
G11B 2005/0021 20130101; G11B 5/6088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/13.33 ;
G9B/11 |
International
Class: |
G11B 11/00 20060101
G11B011/00 |
Claims
1. A magnetic device comprising: a write pole; a read pole; an
optical near field transducer; and a contact pad, the contact pad
comprising an alloy that comprises nickel, wherein the optical near
field transducer is positioned between the read pole and the write
pole and the contact pad is positioned adjacent the write pole
opposite the optical near field transducer.
2. The magnetic device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic
device has an air bearing surface, a leading edge and trailing
edge, and wherein the contact pad is the closest to the trailing
edge.
3. The magnetic device according to claim 2, wherein the contact
pad has a width in the direction from the trailing edge to the
leading edge from about 1 micrometer to about 4 micrometers.
4. The magnetic device according to claim 1 further comprising a
heat sink positioned adjacent the write pole.
5. The magnetic device according to claim 1, wherein the alloy
comprises Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a, wherein X is chosen from: Ru, Re,
Zr, Cr, and Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the element X, and
can range from about 20 to about 90.
6. The magnetic device according to claim 5, wherein X is Ru.
7. The magnetic device according to claim 6, wherein a is from
about 40 to about 80.
8. The magnetic device according to claim 5, wherein X is Cr.
9. The magnetic device according to claim 8, wherein a is from
about 30 to about 60.
10. A magnetic device comprising: a write pole; a read pole; an
optical near field transducer; a contact pad, the contact pad
comprising an alloy that comprises nickel; and a heat sink
positioned adjacent the write pole, the heat sink comprising the
alloy that comprises nickel, wherein the magnetic device has an air
bearing surface, a leading edge and trailing edge, and wherein the
contact pad is the closest to the trailing edge, the optical near
field transducer is positioned between the read pole and the write
pole and the contact pad is positioned adjacent the write pole
opposite the optical near field transducer.
11. The magnetic device according to claim 10, wherein the alloy
comprises Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a, wherein X is chosen from: Ru, Re,
Zr, Cr, and Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the element X, and
can range from about 20 to about 90.
12. The magnetic device according to claim 11, wherein X is Ru.
13. The magnetic device according to claim 12, wherein a is from
about 40 to about 80.
14. The magnetic device according to claim 11, wherein X is Cr.
15. The magnetic device according to claim 14, wherein a is from
about 30 to about 60.
16. A disc drive comprising: a suspension; and a slider attached to
the suspension, the slider comprising: a slider body having a
leading edge, a trailing edge and an air bearing surface; a write
pole on the slider body and having a pole tip adjacent the air
bearing surface; a read pole on the slider body and having a pole
tip adjacent the air bearing surface; an optical near field
transducer on the slider body adjacent the air bearing surface; and
a contact pad on the slider body adjacent the air bearing surface,
wherein the contact pad comprises an alloy, the alloy comprising
nickel, wherein the optical near field transducer is positioned
between the read pole and the write pole and the contact pad is
positioned adjacent the write pole on the opposite side of the
optical near field transducer.
17. The disc drive according to claim 16, wherein the alloy
comprises Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a, wherein X is chosen from: Ru, Re,
Zr, Cr, and Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the element X, and
can range from about 20 to about 90.
18. The disc drive according to claim 17, wherein X is Ru and a is
from about 40 to about 80.
19. The disc drive according to claim 17, wherein X is Cr and a is
from about 30 to about 60.
20. The disc drive according to claim 16 further comprising a heat
sink comprising a nickel alloy, wherein the nickel alloy comprises
Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a, wherein X is chosen from: Ru, Re, Zr, Cr, and
Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the element X, and can range
from about 20 to about 90.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation application of
application Ser. No. 13/350,943 filed Jan. 16, 2012, and titled
"Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) Heads Including Components
Made of Nickel Alloys." The entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Heat assisted magnetic recording (referred to herein as
"HAMR") technology is a promising approach for increasing storage
density beyond 1 Tbit/inch.sup.2. HAMR utilizes a laser to heat the
recording medium to reduce its coercivity below the magnetic field
applied from the writer. Advances in the construction and materials
used in HAMR heads can further advance the use thereof for data
storage.
SUMMARY
[0003] Disclosed is a magnetic device that includes a write pole; a
read pole; an optical near field transducer; and a contact pad. The
contact pad includes a nickel alloy. The optical near field
transducer is positioned between the read pole and the write pole
and the contact pad is positioned adjacent the write pole opposite
the optical near field transducer.
[0004] Disclosed is a magnetic device that includes a write pole; a
read pole; an optical near field transducer; and a contact pad. The
contact pad includes Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a, wherein X is chosen from
Ru, Re, Zr, Cr, and Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the element
X, and can range from about 20 to about 90. The optical near field
transducer is positioned between the read pole and the write pole
and the contact pad is positioned adjacent the write pole opposite
the optical near field transducer.
[0005] Also disclosed is a slider that includes a slider body
having a leading edge, a trailing edge and an air bearing surface;
a write pole on the slider body and having a pole tip adjacent the
air bearing surface; a read pole on the slider body and having a
pole tip adjacent the air bearing surface; an optical near field
transducer on the slider body adjacent the air bearing surface; and
a contact pad on the slider body adjacent the air bearing surface.
The contact pad includes Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a, wherein X is chosen
from Ru, Re, Zr, Cr, and Cu; and a is the atomic percent of the
element X, and can range from about 20 to about 90. The optical
near field transducer is positioned between the read pole and the
write pole and the contact pad is positioned adjacent the write
pole opposite the optical near field transducer.
[0006] Further disclosed is a disc drive that includes a suspension
and a slider attached to the suspension. The slider includes a
slider body having a leading edge, a trailing edge and an air
bearing surface; a write pole on the slider body and having a pole
tip adjacent the air bearing surface; a read pole on the slider
body and having a pole tip adjacent the air bearing surface; an
optical near field transducer on the slider body adjacent the air
bearing surface; and a contact pad on the slider body adjacent the
air bearing surface. The contact pad includes Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a,
wherein X is chosen from Ru, Re, Zr, Cr, and Cu; and a is the
atomic percent of the element X, and can range from about 20 to
about 90. The optical near field transducer is positioned between
the read pole and the write pole and the contact pad is positioned
adjacent the write pole opposite the optical near field
transducer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic disc drive that
can include HAMR devices.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a perpendicular HAMR
magnetic recording head and of an associated recording medium.
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a disclosed HAMR head from
the air bearing surface (ABS).
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a disclosed HAMR head that
includes an optional heat sink from the ABS.
[0011] FIGS. 5A and 5B are scanning electron microscope (SEM)
images of a multilayer structure at 15000.times. magnification
(FIG. 5A) and 60000.times. magnification (FIG. 5B).
[0012] FIG. 6 shows atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of the
multilayer stack (depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B) after both slider
level aqueous kiss-lap (AKL) and a 70.degree. 50 .ANG. etch diamond
like carbon (DLC) process.
[0013] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show the as deposited stress (MPa) as a
function of the atomic % of ruthenium (FIG. 7A), and the stress
changes in Ni.sub.40Ru.sub.60 (FIG. 7B) and Ni.sub.20Ru.sub.80
(FIG. 7C).
[0014] FIGS. 8A and 8B show AFM scans of as-deposited (FIG. 8A)
versus post-anneal at 300.degree. C. for two hours (FIG. 8B).
[0015] FIGS. 9A and 9B show the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of
the as-deposited pure Ni, pure Ru and alloys; and the as deposited
versus post-anneal analysis (FIG. 9B).
[0016] FIGS. 10A and 10B show the potential versus current density
scans of pure nickel, pure ruthenium, and various NiRu alloys at
0.1 M NaCl pH 5.9 (FIG. 10A) and pH 3 (FIG. 10B).
[0017] The figures are not necessarily to scale. Like numbers used
in the figures refer to like components. However, it will be
understood that the use of a number to refer to a component in a
given figure is not intended to limit the component in another
figure labeled with the same number.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying set of drawings that form a part hereof and in which
are shown by way of illustration several specific embodiments. It
is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may
be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
disclosure. The following detailed description, therefore, is not
to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0019] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature
sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification
and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances
by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary,
the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification
and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon
the properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art
utilizing the teachings disclosed herein.
[0020] The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all
numbers subsumed within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2,
2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5) and any range within that range.
[0021] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the
singular forms "a", "an", and "the" encompass embodiments having
plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As
used in this specification and the appended claims, the term "or"
is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the
content clearly dictates otherwise.
[0022] "Include," "including," or like terms means encompassing but
not limited to, that is, including and not exclusive. It should be
noted that "top" and "bottom" (or other terms like "upper" and
"lower") are utilized strictly for relative descriptions and do not
imply any overall orientation of the article in which the described
element is located.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of disc drive 10 including an
actuation system for positioning slider 12 over track 14 of
magnetic medium 16. The particular configuration of disc drive 10
is shown for ease of description and is not intended to limit the
scope of the present disclosure in any way. Disc drive 10 includes
voice coil motor 18 arranged to rotate actuator arm 20 on a spindle
around axis 22. Load beam 24 is connected to actuator arm 20 at
head mounting block 26. Suspension 28 is connected to an end of
load beam 24 and slider 12 is attached to suspension 28. Magnetic
medium 16 rotates around an axis 30, so that the windage is
encountered by slider 12 to keep it aloft a small distance above
the surface of magnetic medium 16. Each track 14 of magnetic medium
16 is formatted with an array of data storage cells for storing
data. Slider 12 carries a magnetic device or transducer (not shown
in FIG. 1) for reading and/or writing data on tracks 14 of magnetic
medium 16. The magnetic transducer utilizes additional
electromagnetic energy to heat the surface of medium 16 to
facilitate recording by a process termed heat assisted magnetic
recording (HAMR).
[0024] A HAMR transducer includes a magnetic writer for generating
a magnetic field to write to a magnetic medium (e.g. magnetic
medium 16) and an optical device to heat a portion of the magnetic
medium proximate to the write field. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional
view of a portion of HAMR magnetic device 40 and a portion of
associated magnetic storage medium 42. HAMR magnetic device 40
includes write pole 44 and return pole 46 coupled by pedestal 48.
Coil 50 comprising conductors 52 and 54 encircles the pedestal and
is supported by an insulator 56. As shown, magnetic storage medium
42 is a perpendicular magnetic medium comprising magnetically hard
storage layer 62 and soft magnetic underlayer 64 but can be other
forms of media, such as patterned media. A current in the coil
induces a magnetic field in the pedestal and the poles. Magnetic
flux 58 exits the recording head at air bearing surface (ABS) 60
and is used to change the magnetization of portions of magnetically
hard layer 62 of storage medium 42 enclosed within region 58. Near
field transducer 66 is positioned adjacent the write pole 44
proximate air bearing surface 60. Near field transducer 66 is
coupled to waveguide 68 that receives an electromagnetic wave from
an external source such as a laser. An electric field at the end of
near field transducer 66 is used to heat a portion 69 of
magnetically hard layer 62 to lower the coercivity so that the
magnetic field from the write pole can affect the magnetization of
the storage medium.
[0025] Portions of an exemplary magnetic device, for example a HAMR
magnetic device are depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a view from the
storage medium (storage medium 42 in FIG. 2) looking up at the ABS.
The magnetic device 100 depicted in FIG. 3 includes a read pole
105, a write pole 115, an optical near field transducer (also
referred to as a NFT) 110 and a contact pad 120. The relative sizes
and shapes of the components depicted in FIG. 3 is for illustration
purposes only and should not be taken as limiting any of the
components (including those depicted and those not depicted). As
seen in FIG. 3, the optical near field transducer 110 is positioned
between the write pole 115 and the read pole 105. The contact pad
120 is positioned adjacent the write pole 115 opposite the optical
near field transducer 110. The contact pad 120 is closest to the
trailing edge (designated as TE in FIG. 3), with the read pole 105
being closest to the leading edge (designated as LE in FIG. 3).
[0026] In embodiments, the contact pad has a width (in the
direction from the trailing edge to the leading edge) from 1
micrometer (.mu.m) to 4 .mu.m, in embodiments from 1.25 .mu.m to
1.75 .mu.m, and in embodiments about 1.5 .mu.m.
[0027] Disclosed magnetic devices can also include heat sinks that
are formed of a nickel alloy. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary
embodiment of a magnetic device 101. The exemplary magnetic device
101 includes the components discussed above (numbered similarly)
and also includes an optional heat sink 125. The heat sink 125 can
be positioned around at least a portion of the write pole 115.
Generally, the heat sink 125 functions to dissipate heat from the
write pole 115. In embodiments at least two sides of a write pole
are surrounded by a heat sink. In embodiments, such as that
depicted in FIG. 4, at least three sides of a write pole 115 are
surrounded by a heat sink 125. In embodiments, all four sides of a
write pole can be surrounded by a heat sink.
[0028] In disclosed magnetic devices, the contact pad 120, the heat
sink 125, or both can be formed from an alloy that includes nickel
(Ni). In embodiments, the nickel alloy can be described as NiX. The
alloy can also be described as Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a with a being the
atomic percent of the element X. X can be chosen from ruthenium
(Ru), rhenium (Re), zirconium (Zr), chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu) and
combinations thereof. In embodiments, X is Ru, Cr, or combinations
thereof. In embodiments, X is Ru or Cr. In embodiments, X is Ru. In
embodiments, the element X can be an element that if the contact
pad were made entirely of it, the contact pad would tend to
protrude towards the ABS farther then if the contact pad were made
entirely of nickel.
[0029] In embodiments, a can range from 20 atomic percent (at %) to
90 at %; from 40 at % to 80 at %; or from 60 at % to 80 at %. In
embodiments, a can range from 20 at % to 70 at %, or from 30 at %
to 60 at %; or from 40 at % to 50 at %. In embodiments where X is
Ru, a can range from 20 at % to 90 at %; from 40 at % to 80 at %;
or from 60 at % to 80 at %. In embodiments were X is Cr, a can
range from 20 at % to 70 at %; from 30 at % to 60 at %; or from 40
at % to 50 at %.
[0030] Nickel alloys as utilized herein may also optionally include
a third component. The optional third component can be one that is
chosen to affect various properties of the alloys. For example, the
optional third component can be chosen to increase the hardness of
the alloy, increase the grain stability, increase the wear
resistance, decrease the stress, increase the resistance to
corrosion, or some combination thereof. In embodiments, the
optional third alloy can be chosen from: ruthenium (Ru), rhenium
(Re), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zirconium (Zr), tungsten (W), and
iron (Fe) for example. In embodiments a nickel alloy with an
optional third alloy can be described by the formula
Ni.sub.(100-a-b)X.sub.aY.sub.b, where X is chosen from ruthenium
(Ru), rhenium (Re), zirconium (Zr), chromium (Cr), and Copper (Cu);
Y is chosen from ruthenium (Ru), rhenium (Re), copper (Cu),
chromium (Cr), zirconium (Zr), tungsten (W), and iron (Fe); a can
range from 20 at % to 90 at %; and b can range from 1 at % to 50 at
%.
[0031] Disclosed magnetic devices that include a contact pad, heat
sink, or both formed from Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a alloys can have
desirable levels of protrusion at elevated temperatures (such as
those encountered in HAMR). In embodiments, contact pads, heat
sinks, or both formed from Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a alloys can have a
level of protrusion that is similar to the protrusion of the write
pole. In embodiments, contact pads, heat sinks, or both formed from
Ni.sub.100X.sub.a alloys can have a level of protrusion that is
slightly more protruded than the write pole. In embodiments,
contact pads, heat sinks, or both formed from Ni.sub.100-aX.sub.a
alloys can have a level of protrusion that is not more than 10%
more than the protrusion of the write pole.
[0032] Alloys used herein for the contact pad, heat sink, or both
may also have other properties. In embodiments, alloys used herein
for the contact pad, heat sink, or both may be non-magnetic.
Experimental results and results from models show that NiRu alloys
(for example) become non-magnetic above 15 at % ruthenium (Ru). In
embodiments, the alloys utilized for the contact pad, heat sink, or
both can be relatively resistant to corrosion. In embodiments the
alloys utilized for the contact pad, heat sink, or both can have a
positive corrosion potential (E.sub.corr) relative to the write
pole material. In embodiments, alloys used herein for the contact
pad, heat sink, or both may have low stress, high wear resistance,
acceptable adhesion with other materials in the magnetic device,
are capable of being planarized (for example by using chemical
mechanical polishing (CMP)), have low roughness, have no more than
a minimal mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE)
with that of the write pole material (for example CoFe), have a
relatively high thermal conductivity, have a thermally stable
microstructure, can be deposited without voids (i.e., conformal
deposition), or some combination thereof these properties (and/or
others not described herein).
[0033] Nickel alloys utilized herein can be deposited via
sputtering methods, electrodeposition methods, or other
methods.
[0034] Magnetic devices disclosed herein can also include other
structures. Magnetic devices disclosed herein can also be
incorporated into larger devices. For example, sliders can include
magnetic devices as disclosed herein. Exemplary sliders can include
a slider body that has a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an air
bearing surface. The write pole, read pole, optical near field
transducer and contact pad (and optional heat sink) can then be
located on (or in) the slider body. Such exemplary sliders can be
attached to a suspension which can be incorporated into a disc
drive for example.
EXAMPLES
[0035] While the present disclosure is not so limited, an
appreciation of various aspects of the disclosure will be gained
through a discussion of the examples provided below.
Recession/Protrusion of NiRu Alloys
[0036] In order to evaluate the recession and protrusion profile of
various NiRu.sub.x alloys relative to an exemplary FeCo write pole,
a multilayer stack of varying composition of NiRu (beginning with
100 at % Ni and ending with 100 at % Ru) intercalated between FeCo
was deposited. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the
multilayer stack can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A shows a
15000.times. magnification and FIG. 5B shows a 60000.times.
magnification.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows the atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of
the multilayer stack after both slider level aqueous kiss-lap (AKL)
and a 70.degree. 50 .ANG. etch diamond like carbon (DLC) process.
From looking at the graph in FIG. 6 it can be seen that pure Ni
recesses and pure Ru protrudes with respect to FeCo, while NiRu
layers in the composition range of Ni.sub.40Ru.sub.60 to
Ni.sub.20Ru.sub.80 is substantially co-planar or has minimal
recession/protrusion relative to FeCo.
Thermal Stability of NiRu Alloys
[0038] Thermal stability of NiRu alloys was tested by measuring the
evolution of stress versus temperature. FIG. 7A and Table 1 below
shows the as deposited stress (MPa) as a function of the atomic %
of ruthenium. FIG. 7B and 7C shows the stress changes in
Ni.sub.40Ru.sub.60 (FIG. 7B) and Ni.sub.20Ru.sub.80 (FIG. 7C). As
can be seen from FIGS. 7B and 7C, both Ni.sub.40Ru.sub.60 and
Ni.sub.20Ru.sub.80 undergo small stress changes (230 and 81 MPa
respectively) up to 200.degree. C., which demonstrates good thermal
stability of the alloys.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Alloy Thickness (.ANG.) Mean Stress (MPa) Ni
500 +487.9 Ni.sub.60Ru.sub.40 500 +1243.3 Ni.sub.40Ru.sub.60 500
+358.6 Ni.sub.20Ru.sub.80 500 -158.3 Ru 500 -1830.3
[0039] FIGS. 8A and 8B show AFM scans of as-deposited (FIG. 8A)
versus post-anneal at 300.degree. C. for two hours (FIG. 8B). The
post-anneal AFM images don't show grain growth or roughness
increases corroborating the good thermal stability of the material
up to 300.degree. C.
Structural Stability of NiRu Alloys
[0040] The structural stability of the materials was measured by
X-ray diffraction (XRD) in the as-deposited and post-anneal states.
FIG. 9A shows that the as-deposited pure Ni exhibits a single
textured fcc (111) crystal state while pure Ru and NiRu alloys show
multi-textured hcp phase only. FIG. 9B shows that the NiRu alloys
shows a 2.theta. shift of 0.1.degree., which corresponds to a
residual strain of negligible amount of 0.2%. No peak broadening of
the post-anneal film demonstrates good structural stability. It
should be noted that the single textured fcc (111) NiRu alloys are
metastable and remain so even after a 300.degree. C. anneal.
Chemical Stability of NiRu Alloys
[0041] The corrosion potentials (E.sub.corr) of nickel alloys were
tested to assess the chemical robustness of the materials. The
corrosion potentials were tested at 0.1 M NaCl pH 5.9 (neutral
media) and at pH 3 (acidic media). The results are shown in Tables
2 and 3 below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Neutral E.sub.corr I.sub.corr (0.1M NaCl; pH
5.9) (V vs. SCE) (.mu.A/cm.sup.2) Ni -0.14 0.012 Ni.sub.60Ru.sub.40
0.0743 0.15 Ni.sub.40Ru.sub.60 0.094 0.16 Ni.sub.20Ru.sub.80 0.19
0.049 Ru 0.24 0.05
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Acidic E.sub.corr I.sub.corr (0.1M NaCl; pH
3) (V vs. SCE) (.mu.A/cm.sup.2) Ni 0.008 0.05 Ni.sub.60Ru.sub.40
0.32 1.3 Ni.sub.40Ru.sub.60 0.37 0.67 Ni.sub.20Ru.sub.80 0.37 0.45
Ru 0.36 0.05
[0042] As seen from Tables 2 and 3, the nickel alloys exhibited
high resistance to corrosion (as indicated by the positive Ecorr)
and good passivity in both neutral (Table 2) and acidic (Table 3)
environments. All of the nickel alloys tested had better corrosion
resistance than FeCo (E.sub.corr vs. SCE=-0.30), Ni.sub.45Fe.sub.55
(E.sub.corr vs. SCE=-0.25), and Cr (E.sub.corr vs. SCE=0.03). FIGS.
10A and 10B show the potential versus current density scans of pure
nickel, pure ruthenium, and various NiRu alloys at 0.1 M NaCl pH
5.9 (FIG. 10A) and pH 3 (FIG. 10B) respectively.
[0043] Thus, embodiments of HEAT ASSISTED MAGNETIC RECORDING (HAMR)
HEADS INCLUDING COMPONENTS MADE OF NICKEL ALLOYS are disclosed. The
implementations described above and other implementations are
within the scope of the following claims. One skilled in the art
will appreciate that the present disclosure can be practiced with
embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments
are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation.
* * * * *