Systems and methods for applying electric fields during ultraviolet exposure of lubricant layers for hard disk media

Abstract

Systems and methods for applying electric fields during ultraviolet exposure of lubricant layers for hard disk media. One such method involves inserting a magnetic medium into a chamber, the magnetic medium including a lubricant on an outer surface thereof, and applying an electric field and an ultraviolet radiation to the lubricant within the chamber. Another such method involves inserting a magnetic medium into a chamber, depositing a lubricant on the medium within the chamber, and applying an electric field and an ultraviolet radiation to the lubricant within the chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for forming a lubricant layer on a magnetic medium configured to store information, the apparatus comprising:
 an ultraviolet (UV) light source configured to apply a UV radiation to a layer formed on an outer surface on the magnetic medium, the layer consisting of a lubricant;   an electric field source configured to apply an electric field to the lubricant; and   a processor coupled to the UV light source and the electric field source, and configured to independently apply the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a chamber containing the magnetic medium,   wherein the UV light source and the electric field source are mounted within the chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an insulator;   wherein the electric field source comprises a mesh positioned between the UV light source and the medium; and   wherein the insulator is positioned between the medium and the mesh, wherein the insulator and the medium at least partially overlap.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the mesh comprises a shape configured to generate the electric field and to allow the UV radiation to penetrate the mesh. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the mesh comprises a grid shape. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 :
 wherein the medium and the mesh are spaced apart and about parallel;   wherein the chamber further comprises:
 a base portion, wherein the medium is on, and electrically coupled to, the base portion; 
 a cover portion on the mesh, wherein the mesh is electrically coupled to the cover portion; and 
 a voltage source having a positive terminal electrically coupled to the cover portion and a negative terminal electrically coupled to the base portion, 
 wherein the insulator is positioned between the base portion and the cover portion. 
   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to control the electric field such that a plasma is not generated within the chamber while independently applying the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 heat the magnetic medium to a preselected temperature; and   independently apply the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant after the magnetic medium was heated.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to apply a negative voltage to the medium to apply the electric field to the lubricant. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a direction of the electric field is into, and about normal to, a top surface of the lubricant. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to independently and simultaneously apply the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for forming a lubricant layer on a magnetic medium configured to store information, the apparatus comprising:
 a means for applying a ultraviolet (UV) radiation to a layer formed on an outer surface on the magnetic medium, the layer consisting of a lubricant;   a means for applying an electric field to the lubricant; and   a means for independently applying the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a chamber containing the magnetic medium,   wherein the means for applying the UV radiation and the means for applying the electric field are mounted within the chamber.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an insulator;   wherein the means for applying the electric field comprises a mesh positioned between the means for applying the UV radiation and the medium; and   wherein the insulator is positioned between the medium and the mesh, wherein the insulator and the medium at least partially overlap.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the mesh comprises a shape configured to generate the electric field and to allow the UV radiation to penetrate the mesh. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the mesh comprises a grid shape. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the means for independently applying the electric field and the UV radiation is configured to control the electric field such that a plasma is not generated within the chamber while independently applying the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 means for heating the magnetic medium to a preselected temperature; and   wherein the means for independently applying the electric field and the UV radiation comprises means for independently applying the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant after the magnetic medium was heated.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein a direction of the electric field is into, and about normal to, a top surface of the lubricant. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , the means for independently applying the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant comprises means for independently and simultaneously applying the electric field and the UV radiation to the lubricant.