DiskRAM
The
DiskRAM is a fast, compact and rugged Raman spectrograph
dedicated to the at-line control of the diamond-like carbon
(DLC) sputtering process for the Disk Drive Industry. As
a module in combination with a robot disk handler or as
a stand alone unit, DiskRAM provides the rapid analysis
of DLC coatings on hard disk drives. Simply place a disk
manually on the sample chamber or have it placed by a sample
handler robot and let DiskRAM provide you complete automatic
measurement and data analysis.
DiskRAM Features
- Fast Raman analysis of DLC coatings on hard disk drive: Raman emission is excited by the 532 nm emission from a solid state Nd:YAG laser. A very high luminosity spectrograph is used to collect the full DLC spectrum within seconds.
- Dedicated software for at line measurement with an immediate automatic curve fitting routine to measure G-band (graphitic carbon) and D-band (disordered carbon) as well as the luminescence background. These parameters are correlated to tribological properties as well as hydrogen and nitrogen content in DLC films.
- Customized sample chamber based on a vacuum chuck mounted on a spindle device. For the measurement, the disk rests firmly on the vacuum chuck while the laser beam probes the downward face of the disk. This arrangement avoids the need for a trained operator to accurately adjust the focus on the disk surface because there is no defocusing of successive samples due to disk thickness variation. Thus, a robot may be used to automatically feed disks to the DiskRam for automated analysis.
- Adjustable excitation/collection lens to accommodate different disk size. An off-angle excitation beam makes background correction due to reflected light unnecessary.
- Large laser spot size . A large beam focus prevents damage to DLC films (laser irradiance is reduced by a factor of 500 compared to the microscope arrangement).
- Computer - controlled spindle. This device allows one to analyze individual segments of the Disk, to obtain information on heterogeneity of the DLC film, or a full ring at user-selected diameters, to obtain average DLC information.
Either of these conditions prevent laser-induced damage of the DLC film. - Laser exposure security: Interlock blocks laser beam inside cabinet until safety cover has descended and enclosed disk.
The Ultimate Tool for Raman analysis on DLC films for the hard disk Industry
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