Decomposition of Perfluoropolyether Lubricant on Air-Bearing Surfaces During Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording

The thermal decomposition of a thin film of D-4OH lubricant under heating conditions on air-bearing surfaces, such as those found in magnetic recording devices, was investigated using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy. The substrates used in this experiment were those of actual magnetic head sliders with diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin-film coatings. Two kinds of surfaces were prepared: an undisturbed DLC thin-film surface and an Al2O3 surface exposed by sputtering of the DLC thin film. Changes in the positive mass spectra as a result of heating confirmed that thermal decomposition of the D-4OH lubricant thin-film occurred, and that it was catalytically accelerated by Al2O3 at heating temperatures below 150 °C. This observation contrasts with the fact that the D-4OH lubricant thin film on the undisturbed DLC thin-film surface did not decompose.