Effect of temperature on nanowear of platinum-coated probes sliding against coated silicon wafers for probe-based recording technology

In one of the new alternative information storage technologies, a phase-change medium is used and phase change is accomplished by applying either a high or low magnitude of current which heats the interface to different temperatures. Tip wear is a serious concern. For wear protection of the phase-change chalcogenide medium with a silicon substrate, diamond-like carbon (DLC) film with various lubricant overcoats was deposited on the recording layer surface. Nanowear properties of platinum (Pt)-coated probes with high electrical conductivity have been investigated in sliding against the coated medium using an atomic force microscope (AFM). The nanowear experiments were performed at sliding velocity of 0.1 mm s−1 and at sample temperatures of 20 and 80 °C. In high-temperature experiments at a sample temperature of 80 °C, wear rate is higher compared to that at a sample temperature of 20 °C. The results suggest that wear mechanism appears to be primarily adhesive, abrasive and tribochemical.