Discrete Track Media Adoption in HDDs: Significant Cost and Process Changes, But Just Around the Corner

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• IDC Opinion
• In This Study
  • Methodology
• Situation Overview
  • HDD Technology Overview
  • Figure: Areal Density Growth Over Time
  • Figure: Perpendicular Recording
  • HDD Disk Media Overview
    • Two of Many Challenges with Disk Media at Higher Densities per Disk
      • Side-Erasure
      • Superparamagnetic Limit
    • A Look at Discrete Track Media
    • Figure: Discrete Track Media
    • A Look at Bit-Patterned Media
    • Figure: Bit-Patterned Media
    • The DTM/BPM Disk Manufacturing Process
    • Figure: Thin Film Stack
      • Lithography
      • Figure: Disk Fabrication Using Nanoimprint Lithography
      • Etch Process
      • Method 1: Etching the Disk Substrate
      • Figure: Prepatterned Disk Substrate
      • Method 2: Etching the Disk Media Magnetic Film
      • Figure: Unpatterned Disk Substrate
      • Metrology/Inspection
      • Gap Fill
      • Planarization
      • Figure: Planarization
      • Additional Challenges with Bit-Patterned Media
• Future Outlook
  • Cost-Adder per Disk to Manufacture Discrete Track or Bit-Patterned Media
  • Table: Assumptions for Cost Allocation Model for Discrete Track Media Equipment
  • Table: Cost Allocation Model for Discrete Track Media Production Equipment
  • Table: Method 1: Cost Allocation Model for Discrete Track Media Production Equipment
  • Table: Method 1: Cost Allocation Model for Discrete Track Media Production Consumables
  • Table: Method 2: Cost Allocation Model for Discrete Track Media Production Equipment
  • Table: Method 2: Cost Allocation Model for Discrete Track Media Production Consumables
    • The Uncertainty of DTM and BPM Process Yields and Cost
    • Table: Average Manufacturing Yield for Giant Magneto Resistive Read/Write Recording Heads (%)
    • Figure: Estimated Manufacturing Cost of Discrete Track Media
  • DTM/BPM Implementation and Forecast
    • When Required
    • By Form Factor
    • Maturity of DTM/BPM Technology
    • IDC' s DTM/BPM Forecast
    • Figure: Rate of Adoption of Past Hard Disk Drive Technology Transitions
    • Figure: Worldwide Hard Disk Drive Media Penetration by Technology, 2007-2012
    • Table: Worldwide Hard Disk Drive Media Penetration by Market Segment and Technology, 2007-2012 (%)
    • What Could Delay DTM Implementation?
      • Analogy from the Semiconductor Industry
• Essential Guidance
• Learn More
  • Related Research
  • Definitions
  • Synopsis