Abstract: [Problems] To provide a reinforcing layer between a main recording layer and a continuous layer so as to improve the S/N ratio of a magnetic recording medium and reduce the write fringing effect by the new configuration. [Means for Solving Problems] A perpendicular magnetic recording medium (100) includes a substrate (110), and a main recording layer (122), a reinforcing layer (124), and a continuous layer (126) which are overlaid in this order on the substrate. The reinforcing layer (124) has a granular structure. The saturation magnetization Ms of the reinforcing layer (124) is higher than the saturation magnetization of the main recording layer (122).

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To improve the track density by reducing the track edge noise and sharpening the boundaries of a recording magnetic field by blocking the recording magnetic field spreading outside the recording region in magnetic recording. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A magnetic recording medium (10) has a substrate (12) and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer (30) formed over the substrate (12). The perpendicular magnetic recording layer (30) has a granular layer (20) in which a magnetic signal is recorded and a continuous film layer (24) magnetically coupled to the granular layer (20).

Abstract: [Object] To achieve a high coercive force (Hc) and low-noise characteristics (high S/N ratio) through realization of both segregation of SiO2 and high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy by providing a two-layer structure having magnetic recording layers with different properties. [Solution] A magnetic disk for use in perpendicular magnetic recording, having at least an underlayer 5, a first magnetic recording layer 6, and a second magnetic recording layer 7 on a substrate in this order. The first magnetic recording layer 6 and the second magnetic recording layer 7 are each a ferromagnetic layer of a granular structure containing a nonmagnetic substance forming grain boundary portions between crystal grains containing at least Co (cobalt). Given that the content of the nonmagnetic substance in the first magnetic recording layer 6 is A mol % and the content of the nonmagnetic substance in the second magnetic recording layer 7 is B mol %, A>B.

Abstract: To provide a perpendicular magnetic recording disk having a film structure that improves overwrite characteristics (O/W) while maintaining a coercive force (Hc) high enough not to affect heat fluctuation resistance, and a manufacturing method thereof. A magnetic disk for use in perpendicular magnetic recording, having at least an underlayer, a first magnetic recording layer, and a second magnetic recording layer on a substrate in the order named, characterized in that the first magnetic recording layer and the second magnetic recording layer are each a ferromagnetic layer of a granular structure containing a nonmagnetic substance forming grain boundary portions between crystal grains containing at least Co (cobalt) and, given that the content of the nonmagnetic substance in the first magnetic recording layer is A mol % and the content of the nonmagnetic substance in the second magnetic recording layer is B mol %, A<B.

Abstract: A magnetic disk 10 for use in perpendicular magnetic recording, which includes an underlayer 18, a size-reduction promoting layer 20 (nonmagnetic granular layer) of a granular structure, and a magnetic recording layer 22 having a ferromagnetic layer 32 of a granular structure. The size-reduction promoting layer 20 has an inorganic oxide matrix and nonmagnetic metal crystal grains and is disposed between the underlayer 18 and the ferromagnetic layer 32, thereby reducing the size of magnetic crystal grains in the ferromagnetic layer 32.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium for perpendicular magnetic recording includes a substrate, a granular layer having magnetic crystal grains exhibiting perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and nonmagnetic substances for magnetically separating the magnetic crystal grains from each other at grain boundaries of the magnetic crystal grains, and a continuous film layer having magnetic grains to be exchange-coupled to the magnetic crystal grains, the grain boundary width of the magnetic grains being smaller than that of the magnetic crystal grains, wherein separation regions for magnetically separating tracks from each other are disposed in regions between the tracks of the magnetic recording medium in at least the continuous film layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes the steps of (a) forming a perpendicular magnetic recording layer and (b) applying an ion beam to regions between tracks of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer so as to form separation regions for magnetically separating the tracks from each other. In the step (a), a continuous film layer composed of a multilayer film is formed, and CoB layers and Pd layers are laminated in the multilayer film. In the step (b), the CoB layers and the Pd layers are melted by the ion beam so as to form an alloy of metals contained in the CoB layers and the Pd layers to thereby form the separation regions.

Abstract: A magnetic disk 10 for use in perpendicular magnetic recording has at least a magnetic recording layer on a substrate 1. The magnetic recording layer is composed of a ferromagnetic layer 5 of a granular structure containing silicon (Si) or an oxide of silicon (Si) between crystal grains containing cobalt (Co), a stacked layer 7 having a first layer containing cobalt (Co) or a Co alloy and a second layer containing palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt), and a spacer layer 6 interposed between the ferromagnetic layer 5 and the stacked layer 7. After forming the ferromagnetic layer 5 on the substrate 1 by sputtering in an argon gas atmosphere, the stacked layer 7 is formed by sputtering in the argon gas atmosphere at a gas pressure lower than that used when forming the ferromagnetic layer 5.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium 10 adapted to be mounted in a perpendicular magnetic recording type hard disk drive and including a disk-shaped disk base 12, a soft magnetic layer 14 formed on the disk base 12, and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer 16 formed on the soft magnetic layer 14, wherein, at respective portions of the soft magnetic layer 14, directional distribution of easy magnetization axes of magnetic particles included In each of the respective portions is isotropic with respect to respective directions in the main surface of the soft magnetic layer 14.

Abstract: A Hilbert transform is used to process perpendicular magnetic recording signals from both single layer and dual layer disks to produce a complex analytic signal. This complex analytic signal is used to derive angles of magnetization, which depend on the distance between recorded magnetic transitions and consequently which can be used in error estimation. Moreover, the Hilbert transform in cooperation with an equalizer FIR optimizes transformation of the signal such that conventional longitudinal recording processing methods can subsequently be used to process the signal that is read back from the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording disk has an underlayer structure that causes the magnetic layer to have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The underlayer structure comprises a B2 type body-centered-cubic (BCC) material, such as the binary alloys NiAl, RuAl and RuTi, as an underlayer, and a Ti or TiCr alloy sublayer formed directly on the underlayer. The magnetic layer, such as a CoCrPt alloy, is deposited directly on the sublayer. The magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy due to the sublayer yet excellent SNR because of the smaller grain size of the sublayer material formed directly on the B2 type underlayer.

Abstract: A composite perpendicular magnetic recording disk has two distinct magnetic layers formed on the disk substrate, each with strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, that are strongly exchange coupled perpendicularly to each other across their interface. The first layer is a CoCr granular layer formed on a growth-enhancing sublayer, such as titanium, so as to have strong perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. The second layer is a continuous layer, preferably a continuous multilayer of Co/Pt or Co/Pd palladium formed on top of the granular layer. An interface layer, such as a layer of platinum or palladium, depending on whether the top multilayer is Co/Pt or Co/Pd, respectively, may be located between the two layers to enhance the growth of the continuous multilayer.

Abstract: A Hilbert transform is used to process perpendicular magnetic recording signals from both single layer and dual layer disks to produce a complex analytic signal. This complex analytic signal is used to derive angles of magnetization, which depend on the distance between recorded magnetic transitions and consequently which can be used in error estimation. Moreover, the Hilbert transform in cooperation with an equalizer FIR optimizes transformation of the signal such that conventional longitudinal recording processing methods can subsequently be used to process the signal that is read back from the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording disk has an underlayer structure that causes the magnetic layer to have perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The underlayer structure comprises a B2 type body-centered-cubic (BCC) material, such as the binary alloys NiAI, RuAI and RuTi, as an underlayer, and a Ti or TiCr alloy sublayer formed directly on the underlayer. The magnetic layer, such as a CoCrPt alloy, is deposited directly on the sublayer. The magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy due to the sublayer yet excellent SNR because of the smaller grain size of the sublayer material formed directly on the B2 type underlayer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording disk of a disk drive apparatus is constructed having a radially sloped surface, so that the outer area of the disk is thinner than the inner area. The radially downward slope of the disk surface has the effect of increasing the crown of the disk head, this effect being greatest closest to the disk axis and decreasing as the head moves toward the outer diameter. A head landing zone is preferably located at the inner part of the disk surface, where the crown is greatest, reducing stiction during disk start-up. Furthermore, the gradual reduction in crown as the head moves radially outward compensates for the increasing velocity of the head relative to the disk surface, achieving a more uniform flying height of the disk head.

Abstract: A thin metal plate, which is a material for forming load beams, is integrally formed with carriages extending from flexures, VCM coil sections, and a support plate for a flexible substrate. The signal output lines from the magnetic heads, and the signal lines from the VCM coil sections are connected directly and integrally to the flexible substrate without a soldering connection.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium wherein a perpendicular magnetic film is formed on a substrate or a nonmagnetic film, and the perpendicular magnetic film contains Co and Cr, the content of the Cr being 22 at. % or higher but 30 at. % or less. The medium is used in a magnetic recording disk drive using a magnetoresistive read head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disk drive having at least one disk. An actuator arm carriers at least two sliders which are positioned over the first and second surface of the disk. The actuator arm moves the sliders to various selected positions over disks so that representations of data can be read from or written into the tracks of the disk. Each slider includes at least one magnetic transducer or magnetic head. The magnetic head is actually passed over the track in the disk during a read or write operation. The heads are shifted slightly with respect to a line perpendicular to the disk surface to minimize or reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic coupling between the heads located on the first and second surface of the disk. In other words, the heads are intentionally misaligned to increase the distance between the two heads and to reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic coupling between the two heads.

Abstract: A magnetic or optical disk apparatus having a flexible disk rotated at high speed and head sliders for reading and writing information on the disk, floating from both sides of the disk. The disk apparatus is also provided with straightening plates for keeping air flow in the radial direction of the disk as a laminar flow to surely prevent the disk from being vibrated at the time when the disk is rotated at high speed. As the result, positions of the head sliders relative to the disk can be surely and accurately maintained to provide heads with excellent recording and reproducing characteristics. Mass storage and high speed access can be thus achieved without damaging the flexible disk and the disk apparatus can be smaller-sized with lighter weight and lower cost.

Abstract: A magnetic or optical disk apparatus having a flexible disk rotated at high speed and head sliders for reading and writing information on the disk, floating from both sides of the disk. The disk apparatus is also provided with straightening plates for keeping air flow in the radial direction of the disk as a laminar flow to surely prevent the disk from being vibrated at the time when the disk is rotated at high speed. As the result, positions of the head sliders relative to the disk can be surely and accurately maintained to provide heads with excellent recording and reproducing characteristics. Mass storage and high speed access can be thus achieved without damaging the flexible disk and the disk apparatus can be smaller-sized with lighter weight and lower cost.