Abstract: A method, apparatus and a data storage device are provided for implementing track following and data recovery with readback of shingled data written in overlapping shingled data tracks on a recordable surface of a storage device. Positional information is identified with data readback of shingled data written in overlapping shingled data tracks. The identified positional information is used to selectively modify at least one predefined channel parameter, for example, to provide enhanced track following and enhanced data recovery.

Abstract: A thermally-assisted recording (TAR) disk drive operates by turning on write current prior to the application of heat to the recording layer by the near-field transducer (NFT). In a TAR disk drive that uses thermal fly-height control (TFC), TFC power is at a first power level that keeps the write pole at a predetermined fly-height. The write current is then turned on, either simultaneously with or after a reduction in TFC power. The write pole then reaches its optimal fly-height as a result of the combination of write pole protrusion caused by the write current and retraction of the write pole caused by the reduction in TFC power. After the write pole has reached its optimal fly-height, heat is applied to the recording layer by the NFT. The combination of write current and heat causes writing to occur at the optimal write pole fly-height.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and a data storage device are provided for implementing track following and data recovery with readback of shingled data written in overlapping shingled data tracks on a recordable surface of a storage device. Positional information is identified with data readback of shingled data written in overlapping shingled data tracks. The identified positional information is used to selectively modify at least one predefined channel parameter, for example, to provide enhanced track following and enhanced data recovery.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording medium, comprising: at least one ferromagnetic thin film recording layer comprising magnetic particles with substantially uniform barriers to magnetization reversal, formed by a process comprising steps of: (a) providing a precursor structure including at least one ferromagnetic thin film recording layer having a surface and a first, higher coercivity which may be greater than that which permits writing of the precursor structure, comprising magnetic particles having a distribution of energy barriers to magnetization reversal; and (b) uniformly bombarding the entire surface of the precursor structure with particles of sufficient dosage and energy to: (i) substantially equalize the energy barriers to magnetization reversal of the magnetic particles; (ii) lower the coercivity of the at least one ferromagnetic thin film recording layer from the first, higher coercivity to a second, lower coercivity within a range of coercivities permitting writing of the bombarded at least one