Abstract
This IDC study explores the adoption of discrete track media (DTM) and
bit-patterned media (BPM) for the hard disk drive (HDD) industry through
calendar year 2012, and provides an in-depth analysis of the production process
needed to fabricate DTM or BPM disk media, including the capital equipment
requirements to support an industry transition to DTM disk manufacturing. As
part of this study, IDC provides an outlook for the timing of DTM and BPM
introduction, its cost compared with current disk media, and its forecast for
adoption in the HDD industry.
"Areal density continues to be an important metric for the HDD industry, but
the engineering challenges that the HDD OEMs must overcome to achieve this
growth in areal density are increasing in difficulty. Discrete track media and
its successor, bit-patterned media appear to be key technologies needed to
extend PMR technology in HDDs." - John Rydning, research director, Hard Disk
Drives
"But the process changes and costs necessary to migrate to these new
technologies are significant, and HDD OEMs must tread cautiously and time their
transitions carefully so that any migration is in step with market
requirements." - Jeff Janukowicz, research manager, Solid State Drives and HDD
Components
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- IDC Opinion
- In This Study
- 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
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