MICRO/NANOTRIBOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES AND MEMS

Scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy/friction force microscopy are increasingly used for tribological studies ranging from atomic and molecular scales to microscales. These studies are needed to develop a fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena on a small scale and to study interfacial phenomena in micro- and nanostructures used in magnetic storage devices, MEMS and other industrial applications. Although micro/nanotribological studies are critical to study micro/nano structures, these studies are also valuable in understanding interfacial phenomena in macrostructures to provide a bridge between science and engineering. Friction and wear on micro- and nano-scales have been found to be generally smaller compared to that at macro-scales. Therefore micro/nanotribological studies may identify regimes for ultra-low-friction and zero-wear. In this paper we present examples of micro-scale tribological measurements made on magnetic storage and MEMS components.