Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium comprises an underlying film, a magnetic film and a protective film formed in this order on a substrate. The magnetic film is a cobalt-base alloy film containing chromium and has a plurality of magnetic layers stacked without interposition of any non-magnetic layer. The plural magnetic layers comprise first, second and third magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer is disposed between the underlying film and the second magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer is disposed between the first magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer. The third magnetic layer is disposed between the second magnetic layer and the protective film. The concentration of chromium contained in the first magnetic layer is lower than that of chromium contained in the second magnetic layer. The thickness of the first magnetic layer is smaller than that of the second magnetic layer. The magnetic layers which overlie the first magnetic layer further contain platinum and boron.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for removing a resist includes irradiating, with an UV light having a wavelength of less than about 240 nm, a structure having a resist on a pattern surface in an atmosphere having oxygen. The resist is used as a mask as it remains above the pattern after the pattern has been transferred to a magnetic recording medium surface having a magnetic film thereon, and the irradiating is performed during production of the magnetic recording medium. In another embodiment, a method for forming a magnetic recording medium includes applying a resist to a surface of a magnetic film above a substrate, curing the resist by irradiating the resist with first UV light to form a pattern, transferring the pattern to the magnetic film using the pattern, and removing the resist by irradiating using second UV light having a shorter wavelength in an atmosphere including oxygen.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for attaining high areal recording density and a magnetic recording apparatus are provided. In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium is provided which includes underlayers, a first magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, a second magnetic layer, a second intermediate layer, a third magnetic layer, a protective layer and a lubricant layer formed in sequence on a substrate. The first magnetic layer comprises a cobalt-based alloy, and the second magnetic layer and the third magnetic layer each comprises a Co-based alloy containing platinum, chromium and boron. The concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer is less than that in the second magnetic layer, the concentration of chromium contained in the third magnetic layer is about 15 at. % or less, and the first intermediate layer comprises ruthenium or an alloy having ruthenium as a main ingredient.

Abstract: The longitudinal magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic substrate, a first underlayer having at least one of an amorphous structure and a fine crystal structure formed on the non-magnetic substrate, a second underlayer having a body-centered cubic structure formed on the first underlayer, a third underlayer having a hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the second underlayer, and a magnetic layer having the hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the third underlayer, wherein the third underlayer is composed of an alloy containing Co and Ru.

Abstract: The longitudinal magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic substrate, a first underlayer having at least one of an amorphous structure and a fine crystal structure formed on the non-magnetic substrate, a second underlayer having a body-centered cubic structure formed on the first underlayer, a third underlayer having a hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the second underlayer, and a magnetic layer having the hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the third underlayer, wherein the third underlayer is composed of an alloy containing Co and Ru.

Abstract: The longitudinal magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic substrate, a first underlayer having at least one of an amorphous structure and a fine crystal structure formed on the non-magnetic substrate, a second underlayer having a body-centered cubic structure formed on the first underlayer, a third underlayer having a hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the second underlayer, and a magnetic layer having the hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the third underlayer, wherein the third underlayer is composed of an alloy containing Co and Ru.

Abstract: The longitudinal magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic substrate, a first underlayer having at least one of an amorphous structure and a fine crystal structure formed on the non-magnetic substrate, a second underlayer having a body-centered cubic structure formed on the first underlayer, a third underlayer having a hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the second underlayer, and a magnetic layer having the hexagonal closed packed structure formed on the third underlayer, wherein the third underlayer is composed of an alloy containing Co and Ru.