Single slider air bearing process using polymer brush formation
View Patent ↗A method of constructing an air bearing on a single slider used as a support for a magnetic recording head is described. A recessed surface of the air bearing is constructed by: applying a polymerization initiator (preferably azomonochlorsilane), forming a pattern in the initiator, forming a polymer brush, and ion milling. The application of the polymerization initiator may be from solution or by stamping.
1. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider, comprising:
applying a layer of polymerization initiator to the surface of the single slider;
exposing a portion of the layer of polymerization initiator through a mask with UV light;
forming a layer of polymer brush on the layer of polymerization initiator;
milling the single slider with an ion mill; and,
removing the layer of polymer brush and a remaining layer of polymerization initiator.
2. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 1 , wherein the single slider comprises substantially pure silicon.
3. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 1 , wherein the single slider comprises a composite of alumina and titanium carbide.
4. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 1 , wherein the layer of polymerization initiator comprises azomonochlorsilane.
5. A method for constructing an air bearing on a single slider, said air bearing having two or more areas with different recessed distances, comprising:
applying a layer of polymerization initiator to the surface of the single slider;
exposing a portion of the layer of polymerization initiator through a mask with UV light;
forming a layer of polymer brush on the layer of polymerization initiator;
milling the single slider with an ion mill; and,
removing the layer of polymer brush and a remaining layer of polymerization initiator.
6. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 5 , wherein the single slider comprises substantially pure silicon.
7. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 5 , wherein the single slider comprises a composite of alumina and titanium carbide.
8. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 5 , wherein the layer of polymerization initiator comprises azomonochlorsilane.
9. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider, comprising:
applying a layer of polymerization initiator to a stamp;
applying the layer of polymerization initiator to the surface of the single slider using the stamp;
forming a layer of polymer brush on the layer of polymerization initiator;
milling the single slider with an ion mill; and,
removing the layer of polymer brush and a remaining layer of polymerization initiator.
10. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 9 , wherein the single slider comprises substantially pure silicon.
11. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 9 , wherein the single slider comprises a composite of alumina and titanium carbide.
12. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 9 , wherein the layer of polymerization initiator comprises azomonochlorsilane.
13. A method for constructing an air bearing on a single slider, said air bearing having two or more areas with different recessed distances, comprising:
applying a layer of polymerization initiator to a stamp;
applying the layer of polymerization initiator to the surface of the single slider using the stamp;
forming a layer of polymer brush on the layer of polymerization initiator;
milling the single slider with an ion mill; and,
removing the layer of polymer brush and a remaining layer of polymerization initiator.
14. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 13 , wherein the single slider comprises substantially pure silicon.
15. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 13 , wherein the single slider comprises a composite of alumina and titanium carbide.
16. A method for constructing an air bearing on a surface of a single slider as in claim 13 , wherein the layer of polymerization initiator comprises azomonochlorsilane.