Head Crash on Magnetic Disk

Technique Used:  AUGER Electron Spectroscopy

The aftermath of a head crash on a magnetic disk can reveal information as to what went wrong using AES analysis. The following example is a defect left behind after the failure of a magnetic disc. The manufacturer was interested in whether there was any physical damage to the disc or if the defect was a residue left on the carbon overcoat layer. The maps show high levels of chlorine and nickel indicating that the magnetic disc had been damaged and may have been corroded by chlorine. Note that the brighter the pixel, the higher the concentration of the specie that is being mapped.

Auger maps of hard disc defects: a) SEM map; b) carbon map; c) oxygen map; d) chlorine map; and e) nickel map. All images are 35 um x 35 um in size.

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Auger maps of hard disc defects: a) SEM map; b) carbon map; c) oxygen map; d) chlorine map; and e) nickel map. All images are 35 um x 35 um in size.