SURFACE-TREATED FERROELECTRIC MEDIA FOR USE IN SYSTEMS FOR STORING INFORMATION

摘要

A system for storing information comprises a ferroelectric media including a passivation layer and a tip arranged in approximate contact with the passivation layer. The tip detects a polarization signal that corresponds to changes in polarization of domains of the ferroelectric media. A method of forming the passivation layer comprises introducing the ferroelectric media to a plasma comprising one of oxygen, oxygen-helium, and oxygen-nitrogen-helium, etching a surface of the ferroelectric media, and forming one of a substantially oxygen enriched layer and a substantially hydroxyl enriched layer at the surface of the ferroelectric media. The ferroelectric media is introduced to an environment comprising substantially nitrogen and maintained within the environment so that nitrogen further enriches the enriched layer to form the passivation layer.