Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for forming a magnetic recording medium having a recording layer with a plurality of perpendicular magnetic domains configured to store data; and a carbon overcoat formed on the recording layer. The carbon overcoat is characterized by a sp3 carbon content greater than 70%, and a thickness of less than 1.2 nm.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium and a method of making a magnetic recording medium are disclosed. The magnetic recording medium comprises an Iridium-Manganese based intermediate layer formed over a base structure and a magnetic recording layer formed over the Iridium-Manganese based intermediate layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions in the form of reducing the head to keeper spacing in a double-layered perpendicular magnetic recording medium, and improving the recording performance of the magnetic recording medium. A double-layered perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a method of fabricating the same are provided, for data storage devices and systems. The medium includes a base structure and a seedlayer disposed on the base structure. Further layers sequentially formed above the base structure are a soft magnetic underlayer, an intermediate layer and a magnetic recording layer. Because the soft magnetic underlayer is formed between the seedlayer and the intermediate layer, the seedlayer is excluded from the distance between the soft magnetic underlayer and the magnetic recording layer. The soft magnetic underlayer is therefore brought closer to the magnetic recording layer, providing a narrowed head-to-keeper spacing in a data storage system.

Abstract: A configuration for laminated antiferromagnetically coupled magnetic recording layers for a magnetic recording medium is described. For this purpose, a stabilization layer (top layer) is put on top of the main magnetic recording layer (middle layer) and another stabilization layer (bottom layer) is put under the main magnetic recording layer. The top layer, middle layer and bottom layer are antiferromagnetically coupled. This configuration can double the antiferromagnetic coupling on the recording layer and thus increase the thermal stability. This configuration can also further reduce the remnant magnetization thickness product (Mr&dgr;), which is critical for low noise media. A traditional or new intermediate layer, underlayer and seedlayer can be used under magnetic layers of the present invention. Further, a tradition or new overcoat and lubricant can be used over the magnetic layers of the present invention.