| abstract |
A thin-film magnetic recording medium is produced by forming a laminate for magnetic data recording on a nonmagnetic substrate through a dry process, forming a protection layer on the laminate also through a dry process, plasma-etching the protection layer, and forming a lubricant layer on the plasma-etched protection layer. All steps are completed continuously in a vacuum without abrasion. The surface of the resulting recording medium is substantially smoother than the prior art. |