MAGNETIC RECORDING MEDIUM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED : To provide a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium by which corrosiveness, including a corrosive gas, or the like on the surface of the magnetic recording medium is enhanced without increasing the spacing loss; and to provide a magnetic recording medium manufactured by the method of manufacturing the same. SOLUTION : The method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium having at least a magnetic layer, a carbon protective layer, and a lubrication layer on a non-magnetic base body is disclosed. The magnetic recording medium is manufactured by the method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium applying plasma treatment to the magnetic recording medium under the mixed gas atmosphere of a rare gas containing oxygen, from 15% by volume to 30% by volume, and oxygen after film-forming the carbon protective layer. The carbon protective layer at its surface has an oxygen concentration of 11% or more by atom and 14% or less by atom. The carbon protective layer has a contact angle to water of 4 degrees or lower. By the manufacturing method, the magnetic recording medium having the surface hardly adsorbing the corrosive gas and extremely low surface energy is manufactured without increasing film thickness of the protective layer.