Abstract: Methods are disclosed for increasing areal density in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) data storage systems by controlling the media layer grain size, grain size distribution, and pitch via templating techniques that are compatible with the high temperature HAMR media deposition. Embodiments include using current HAMR media seed layers as well as additionally introduced interlayers for the templating process. Topographic as well as chemical templating methods are disclosed that may employ nanoimprint technology or nanoparticle self-assembly among other patterning techniques.

Abstract: Magnetic memories and methods are disclosed. A magnetic memory as described herein includes a plurality of stacked data storage layers to form a three-dimensional magnetic memory. The data storage layers are each formed from a multi-layer structure. At ambient temperatures, the multi-layer structures exhibit an antiparallel coupling state with a near zero net magnetic moment. At higher transition temperatures, the multi-layer structures transition from the antiparallel coupling state to a parallel coupling state with a net magnetic moment. At yet higher temperatures, the multi-layer structure transitions from the antiparallel coupling state to a receiving state where the coercivity of the multi-layer structures drops below a particular level so that magnetic fields from write elements or neighboring data storage layers may imprint data into the data storage layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate, a seed layer positioned above the substrate, and a magnetic recording layer structure positioned above the seed layer. The magnetic recording layer structure includes: a first magnetic recording layer having a plurality of FePtCu magnetic grains and a first segregant, and a second magnetic recording layer positioned above the first magnetic recording layer, the second magnetic recording layer having a plurality of FePt magnetic grains and a second segregant, where a Curie temperature of the first magnetic recording layer is lower than a Curie temperature of the second magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording medium has a heat-sink layer, a chemically-ordered FePt alloy magnetic layer and a perovskite oxide intermediate layer between the heat-sink layer and the magnetic layer. The perovskite oxide intermediate layer may function as both a seed layer for the magnetic layer and a thermal barrier layer, as just a seed layer for the magnetic layer, or as just a thermal barrier layer. The intermediate layer is formed of a material selected from a ABO3 perovskite oxide (where A is selected from one or more of Ba, Sr and Ca and B is selected from one or more of Zr, Ce, Hf, Sn, Ir, and Nb), and a A2REBO6 rare earth double perovskite oxide (where RE is a rare earth element, A is selected from Ba, Sr and Ca, and B is selected from Nb and Ta).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for increasing areal density in Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) data storage systems by controlling the media layer grain size, grain size distribution, and pitch via templating techniques that are compatible with the high temperature HAMR media deposition. Embodiments include using current HAMR media seed layers as well as additionally introduced interlayers for the templating process. Topographic as well as chemical templating methods are disclosed that may employ nanoimprint technology or nanoparticle self-assembly among other patterning techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for fabricating an ion-implanted bit-patterned medium. The method includes providing a medium, the medium having a magnetic layer and a substrate and the magnetic layer includes migrating components. The method further includes forming a patterned mask layer on the surface of the magnetic layer and then ion-implanting the medium through the patterned mask layer, wherein the exposed portions of the magnetic layer comprise trench regions, the covered portions of the magnetic layer comprise island regions, and the transition areas between the trench regions and the island regions comprise boundary regions, wherein the island regions have more favorable magnetic properties than the trench regions. The method also includes annealing the medium, wherein the migrating components diffuse from inside the island regions towards the trench regions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes: a substrate, a seed layer positioned above the substrate, and a magnetic recording layer structure positioned above the seed layer. The magnetic recording layer structure includes: a first magnetic recording layer having a plurality of FePtCu magnetic grains and a first segregant, and a second magnetic recording layer positioned above the first magnetic recording layer, the second magnetic recording layer having a plurality of FePt magnetic grains and a second segregant, where a Curie temperature of the first magnetic recording layer is lower than a Curie temperature of the second magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic media suitable for HAMR recording includes a recording layer having first and second magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer has a first segregant between magnetic grains thereof, the first segregant being primarily C. Moreover, the second magnetic layer is formed above the first magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer has a second segregant between magnetic grains thereof, the second segregant being primarily C and a second component. Additional systems and methods are also described herein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes a substrate, and a magnetic recording layer structure positioned above the substrate, the magnetic recording layer structure including: a first magnetic recording layer having a first plurality of magnetic grains surrounded by a first segregant; a second magnetic recording layer positioned above the first magnetic recording layer, the second magnetic recording layer having a second plurality of magnetic grains surrounded by a second segregant; and a third magnetic recording layer positioned above the second magnetic recording layer, the third magnetic recording layer having a third plurality of magnetic grains surrounded by a third segregant, where at least the first segregant is primarily a combination of carbon and a second component, and where the second segregant is primarily carbon.

Abstract: An “all optical switching” (AOS) magnetic recording system, i.e., one that does not require a magnetic field to reverse the magnetization in the magnetic recording media, uses a FeMnPt L10 alloy as the magnetic media. A FeMnPt alloy, with appropriate amounts of Mn, will have high magneto-crystalline anisotropy, but also ferrimagnetic spin alignment for triggering AOS. The combination of high magneto-crystalline anisotropy and ferrimagnetic spin configuration enables the FeMnPt media to function as magnetic media whose magnetization can be switched solely by polarized laser pulses. The FeMnPt media for may be a single layer with or without any segregants. Alternatively, the FeMnPt media may be a multilayered recording layer comprising alternating layers of FePt and MnPt L10 ordered alloys. The segregant-free embodiments of the FeMnPt material may be patterned to form bit-patterned-media (BPM).

Abstract: A method for making a bit-patterned-media magnetic recording disk with discrete magnetic islands includes annealing the data islands after they have been formed by an etching process. A hard mask, such as a layer of silicon nitride or carbon, may be first formed on the recording layer and a patterned resist formed on the hard mask. The resist pattern is then transferred into the hard mask, which is used as the etch mask to etch the recording layer and form the discrete data islands. After the data islands are formed by the etching process, the patterned recording layer is annealed. The annealing may be done in a vacuum, or in an inert gas, like helium or argon, or in a forming gas such as a reducing atmosphere of argon plus hydrogen. The annealing improves the coercivity, the effective saturation magnetization and the thermal stability of the patterned media.

Abstract: An “all optical switching” (AOS) magnetic recording system, i.e., one that does not require a magnetic field to reverse the magnetization in the magnetic recording media, uses a FeMnPt L10 alloy as the magnetic media. A FeMnPt alloy, with appropriate amounts of Mn, will have high magneto-crystalline anisotropy, but also ferrimagnetic spin alignment for triggering AOS. The combination of high magneto-crystalline anisotropy and ferrimagnetic spin configuration enables the FeMnPt media to function as magnetic media whose magnetization can be switched solely by polarized laser pulses. The FeMnPt media for may be a single layer with or without any segregants. Alternatively, the FeMnPt media may be a multilayered recording layer comprising alternating layers of FePt and MnPt L10 ordered alloys. The segregant-free embodiments of the FeMnPt material may be patterned to form bit-patterned-media (BPM).

Abstract: A method of forming a bit patterned media on a magnetic media disk may include forming topographic features on a substrate and defining trenches therebetween. The method also may include forming non-magnetic material on the topographic features to define non-magnetic portions. In addition, magnetic material may be formed on the non-magnetic portions to define magnetic portions for a recording layer, such that the magnetic portions have a magnetic width that is greater than a non-magnetic width of the non-magnetic portions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a magnetic media suitable for HAMR recording includes a recording layer having first and second magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer has a first segregant between magnetic grains thereof, the first segregant being primarily C. Moreover, the second magnetic layer is formed above the first magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer has a second segregant between magnetic grains thereof, the second segregant being primarily C and a second component. Additional systems and methods are also described herein.

Abstract: Magnetic memories and methods are disclosed. A magnetic memory as described herein includes a plurality of stacked data storage layers to form a three-dimensional magnetic memory. The data storage layers are each formed from a multi-layer structure. At ambient temperatures, the multi-layer structures exhibit an antiparallel coupling state with a near zero net magnetic moment. At higher transition temperatures, the multi-layer structures transition from the antiparallel coupling state to a parallel coupling state with a net magnetic moment. At yet higher temperatures, the multi-layer structure transitions from the antiparallel coupling state to a receiving state where the coercivity of the multi-layer structures drops below a particular level so that magnetic fields from write elements or neighboring data storage layers may imprint data into the data storage layer.

Abstract: Magnetic memories and methods are disclosed. A magnetic memory as described herein includes a plurality of stacked data storage layers to form a three-dimensional magnetic memory. The data storage layers are each formed from a multi-layer structure. At ambient temperatures, the multi-layer structures exhibit an antiparallel coupling state with a near zero net magnetic moment. At higher transition temperatures, the multi-layer structures transition from the antiparallel coupling state to a parallel coupling state with a net magnetic moment. At yet higher temperatures, the multi-layer structure transitions from the antiparallel coupling state to a receiving state where the coercivity of the multi-layer structures drops below a particular level so that magnetic fields from write elements or neighboring data storage layers may imprint data into the data storage layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for fabricating an ion-implanted bit-patterned medium. The method includes providing a medium, the medium having a magnetic layer and a substrate and the magnetic layer includes migrating components. The method further includes forming a patterned mask layer on the surface of the magnetic layer and then ion-implanting the medium through the patterned mask layer, wherein the exposed portions of the magnetic layer comprise trench regions, the covered portions of the magnetic layer comprise island regions, and the transition areas between the trench regions and the island regions comprise boundary regions, wherein the island regions have more favorable magnetic properties than the trench regions. The method also includes annealing the medium, wherein the migrating components diffuse from inside the island regions towards the trench regions.

Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium, such as a disk for use in hard disk drives, has a flux channeling layer (FCL) located below the recording layer (RL) in each of the discrete data islands. The disk includes a substrate, a soft underlayer (SUL) of soft magnetically permeable material on the substrate, and a nonmagnetic exchange break layer (EBL) on the SUL. A nonmagnetic separation layer (SL) is located between the FCL and the RL in the islands. The FCL has an anisotropy field substantially lower than the anisotropy field of the RL, and a magnetization equal to or higher than the magnetization of the RL. The FCL is saturated at a much lower field than the RL and thus channels the magnetic flux from the write head through the island positions. The dipolar fields from the RL above the FCL polarize the magnetization of the FCL parallel to the magnetization direction of the RL in the absence of an external field, to thereby enhance the readback signal.

Abstract: A method for making a bit-patterned-media magnetic recording disk with discrete magnetic islands includes annealing the data islands after they have been formed by an etching process. A hard mask, such as a layer of silicon nitride or carbon, may be first formed on the recording layer and a patterned resist formed on the hard mask. The resist pattern is then transferred into the hard mask, which is used as the etch mask to etch the recording layer and form the discrete data islands. After the data islands are formed by the etching process, the patterned recording layer is annealed. The annealing may be done in a vacuum, or in an inert gas, like helium or argon, or in a forming gas such as a reducing atmosphere of argon plus hydrogen. The annealing improves the coercivity, the effective saturation magnetization and the thermal stability of the patterned media.

Abstract: Patterned media and associated methods of fabrication are provided in which vertical magnetic grains are grown on a patterned seed layer. The patterned seed layer includes a matrix of islands of a first seed material. Each island of first seed material is separated from other islands by a region of second seed material. The first seed material is selected to initiate growth of magnetic material, and the second seed material is selected to initiate growth of non-magnetic material. Subsequently, magnetic material is grown on the first seed material and non-magnetic material is grown on the second seed material. Deposition may be simultaneously. The magnetic and non-magnetic materials form well-defined vertical columns over the first and second seed materials respectively. Thus, each island behaves as an isolated magnetic unit, which switches independently from its neighbor units, which are magnetically separated by the non-magnetic material.