AFM observation of hard disk lubricant coated with plasma polymerized carbon

By using the plasma-polymerized-carbon replication method in combination with an AFM scanning, surface morphology of liquid lubricant was clearly observed on laser bump´s surface of the hard disk coated with carbon overcoat. The carbon overcoat surface is covered with adsorbed lubricant uniformly. Clusters of liquid lubricant were also observed dispersively on the surface. After the contact-start-stop operations, accumulated lubricant was observed on the edge of laser textured bumps. The head surface was clean after the CSS test. It is suggested that the edge of bump rim has some head cleaning effect. Clusters of lubricant were also observed on worn areas. It means that clusters of lubricant were transferred to the head and then adhered again to the worn area