United Kingdom
Fujifilm Technologies
ATOMM™ Technology
What is ATOMM technology and how does it differ from ordinary magnetic media?
ATOMM stands for Advanced super Thin layer and high- Output Metal Media. It is an ultra-high-density recording media consisting of a super-thin layer of metal particles coated over a non-magnetic layer of titanium compound. Ordinary magnetic media consists of a magnetic coating on a basefilm substrate. ATOMM technology, on the other hand, is a dual-coating technique that deposits TWO layers on the basefilm. The lower layer is a titanium compound (titan-fine) that improves durability. The upper layer is a remarkably thin layer (0.1 to 0.5 "microns" - millionths of a metre!) of magnetic particles that allows superior high-density recording.
To appreciate how thin the magnetic layer is, make a dot with a pen or pencil. That dot, which is about half a millimeter in size, can hold approximately 10,000 ATOMM magnetic layers within its width. The two layers, magnetic on top of non-magnetic, are simultaneously coated onto the basefilm. This exclusive dual-coating system is the heart of ATOMM technology.
Second-generation ATOMM-II technology has enabled even higher-density recording of signals, using smaller magnetic particles packed in an ultra-thin magnetic layer.
How is ATOMM media manufactured?
The Dual-Coating process.
The conventional method used to coat magnetic media involves roll coating a magnetic layer onto the basefilm. This method has definite limitations as to how thin the coating can be, thus preventing advances to higher density recording.
Another coating method is Metal Evaporated (ME), which allows the deposition of very thin magnetic layers for high-density recording. The ME process, however, must be carried out inside a vacuum chamber with very high heat. It is, therefore, relatively cost inefficient.
To overcome these limitations, Fujifilm developed a new technology - simultaneous dual-coating - using the slot die coating method to put ATOMM's two layers on the basefilm. The Fujifilm coating head applies two separate formulation layers simultaneously at different depths and thicknesses. The dispersion for the lower layer from one slot carries the thinner upper layer from the second slot on top of it.
This provides the following advantages:
- The upper layer of magnetic particles can be created at a sub-micron order of thinness.
- The upper layer has an extremely hard, smooth surface.
- Lubricants are optimized in both layers.
- The lower layer acts as a reservoir for lubricants and provides a cushioning effect.
Displaying page 1 of 3 | Next page