Claims
- 1. A method of replicating a textured surface, comprising the steps of:
(a) mechanically texturing a surface of a stamper to form a textured surface to be replicated; (b) forming a layer of a material in contact with at least one of the textured surface of the stamper or with a surface of a substrate; (c) urging the substrate and the stamper together with the layer of material therebetween; and (d) separating the stamper and the substrate such that the layer of material is on the substrate and has a replica of the textured surface of the stamper in the layer of material.
- 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (a) comprises mechanically texturing the surface of the stamper by way of polishing.
- 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises forming a layer of a partially dried sol-gel material in contact with the textured surface of the stamper.
- 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein step (b) comprises spin coating a layer of partially dried sol-gel material comprised of a micro-porous structure of silica (SiO2) particles with solvents saturated in the micro-pores thereof.
- 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein at least the textured surface of the stamper is comprised of a polymer.
- 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein at least the stamper is comprised or a metal or alloy coated with a layer of a polymer.
- 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises forming a layer of a partially dried sol-gel material in contact with the surface of the substrate.
- 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein step (b) comprises spin coating a layer of partially dried sol-gel material comprised of a micro-porous structure of silica (SiO2) particles with solvents saturated in the micro-pores thereof.
- 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the substrate is comprised of a glass, ceramic, or glass-ceramic material.
- 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises urging the substrate and the stamper together by application of pressure.
- 11. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of:
(e) converting the layer of partially dried sol-gel material to a glass or glass-like layer.
- 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein step (e) comprises sintering the layer of partially dried sol-gel material at an elevated temperature.
- 13. A product produced by the method of claim 1.
- 14. The product of claim 13, wherein the product is a magnetic data/information storage and retrieval medium.
- 15. A method of forming a stamper suitable for sol-gel replication, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a stamper wherein at least the surface of the stamper is comprised of a polymer or a metal or alloy coated with a layer of a polymer; and (b) mechanically texturing a surface of a stamper to form a textured surface or pattern to be replicated to a disk-shaped substrate, wherein the mechanical texturing comprises polishing to form a textured surface or pattern.
- 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein step (b) comprises polishing the surface of the stamper with polishing tape or a polishing cloth and free polishing particles, or a slurry of abrasive particles dispensed on an absorbent and compliant polishing pad or tape, to form a textured surface to be replicated.
- 17. A product produced by the method of claim 16.
- 18. The product of claim 17, wherein the product is a magnetic data/information storage and retrieval medium.
- 19. A stamper comprising:
a stamper support; and means for forming a textured surface onto a substrate urged against the stamper support.
- 20. The stamper of claim 19, wherein the means for forming includes a textured surface to be replicated, on the stamper support.
- 21. The stamper of claim 20, wherein the means for forming includes a sol-gel-based or derived glass or glass-like layer.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/406,136 filed Aug. 26, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application contains subject matter related to the subject matter disclosed in the following commonly assigned copending U.S. patent applications:
[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/079,516, filed on Feb. 22, 2002, entitled “Servo Pattern Formation Via Transfer Of Sol-Gel Layer and Magnetic Media Obtained Thereby”
[0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/852,084, filed on May 10, 2001, entitled “Defect-Free Patterning of Sol-Gel-Coated Substrates for Magnetic Recording Media”; and
[0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/852,268, filed on May 10, 2001, entitled “Mechanical Texturing of Sol-Gel-Coated Substrate for Magnetic Recording Media”.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60406136 |
Aug 2002 |
US |