Magnetic-recording medium including a carbon overcoat implanted with nitrogen and hydrogen

A magnetic-recording medium comprising:

• a substrate;
• a magnetic-recording layer disposed on the substrate;
• and
• a hydrogen and nitrogen implanted carbon overcoat (HNICOC) disposed on the magnetic-recording layer;
• wherein the HNICOC consists of a single layer;
• wherein the HNICOC comprises nitrogen implanted in a top-surface area of the HNICOC such that a percentage ratio of a concentration of the implanted nitrogen to a concentration of carbon in the top-surface area of the HNICOC is between about 30 percent (%) to about 10% within a depth from about 2 Ångstrom (Å) to about 5 Å from the top surface of the HNICOC;
• wherein the HNICOC comprises an amount of hydrogen implanted in the top-surface area between about 1 atomic % to 12 atomic % within a distance less than about 5 Å from the top-surface of the HNICOC;
• and
• wherein the HNICOC comprises an unimplanted COC area below the top-surface area.