Contemporary Materials I−1 (2010)
Contemporary Materials, I–1 (2010) Page 74 - 79
CHARACTERIZATION OF ULTRATHIN DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON FILMS
B. Tomčik
Institute of Physics, Center for Atomic and Subatomic Physics, Laboratory for Atomic Collision Processes, Pregrevica 118, P.O. Box 68, Serbia
Abstract
Nano sized diamond-like carbon (DLC) films doped with nitrogen and hydrogen are materials of choice as a mechanical and corrosion protection barrier for magnetic layer of the computer hard disks. Overall thickness of a-C:N/a-C:H layer is bellow 2 nm and is usually accompanied by 0.5 nm thin flash layer of Cr. To obtain dense and void-free DLC films, different plasma and ion beam sources operated with hydrocarbon gases are now replacing sputtering deposition techniques. For the film characterization, mainly used are non-destructive optical techniques like micro-Raman spectroscopy and optical surface analysis. Various electrochemical and business environmental tests are common for the corrosion protection evaluation. Capabilities of the Rutherford back-scattering spectroscopy have been demonstrated in revealing the cobalt migration from the magnetic layer. Incorporation of the tribology layer into the magnetic layer, either oxide, carbide or nitride-based, and improvement of the lubricant properties, are the main developmental area in the modern hard disk drive structures.
Keywords: Diamondlike carbon, nanohardness, corrosion protection, micro-Raman.
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