Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording system uses an exchange-spring type of perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The medium has a recording layer (RL) that includes a lower media layer (ML) and a multilayer exchange-spring layer (ESL) above the ML. The high anisotropy field (high-Hk) lower ML and the multilayer ESL are exchange-coupled across a coupling layer. The multilayer ESL has at least two ESLs separated by a coupling layer, with each of the ESLs having an Hk substantially less than the Hk of the ML. The exchange-spring structure with the multilayer ESL takes advantage of the fact that the write field magnitude and write field gradient vary as a function of distance from the write pole. The thicknesses and Hk values of each of the ESLs can be independently varied to optimize the overall recording performance of the medium.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording disk has an antiferromagnetically-coupled (AFC) recording layer (RL) comprised of lower and upper ferromagnetic layers, each having a hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) crystalline structure and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, separated by an antiferromagnetically (AF) coupling layer, wherein the lower ferromagnetic layer (LFM) has substantially higher magnetic permeability than the upper ferromagnetic layer (UFM). The AFC RL is located on an actual exchange break layer (EBL) that separates the AFC RL from the disk's soft magnetic underlayer (SUL). The LFM functions as part of an “effective” exchange break layer (EBL) that also includes the actual EBL and the AF-coupling layer, thereby allowing the actual EBL to be made as thin as possible. The hcp LFM promotes the growth of the hcp UFM in the same way the actual EBL does so that its thickness contributes to the thickness necessary to grow the hcp UFM.

Abstract: High magnetic moment films FeCo(X, Y), where X is a transition metal element and Y is a rare earth element are formed using off-axis static deposition techniques. The films have tunable magnetic anisotropy from 0 Oe to greater than 500 Oe that are thermally stable beyond nominal photoresist curing temperatures. By using off-axis static deposited FeCo(X, Y) films as seed layers to normally deposited FeCo films, inplane anisotropy and the magnetic moment can be controlled for specific design needs. Epitaxial-like growth (column-to-column matching) from the off-axis static FeCo(X,Y) seed layers to normally deposited FeCo films is attributed to sustained anisotropy in the entire film.

Abstract: A magnetic recording tape includes an elongated substrate and a magnetic film coated over the elongated substrate, where the magnetic film includes a first magnetic recording layer. The first magnetic recording layer includes particles having a diameter that is between a factor from about 2 to 5 greater than a thickness of the first magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a magnetic recording medium includes: a soft magnetic underlayer disposed on a substrate; a foundation layer on the soft magnetic underlayer, the foundation layer including a plurality of Ru crystal grains isolated from each other at an upper portion of the foundation layer; a first magnetic layer including a plurality of magnetic crystal grains on the plurality of the Ru crystal grains of the foundation layer; and a second magnetic layer disposed on the plurality of magnetic crystal grains of the first magnetic layer, the second magnetic layer including a plurality of magnetic crystal grains having axes of easy magnetization in the direction perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate and nonmagnetic materials interposed between the crystal grains, the magnetic crystal grains of the first magnetic layer having a smaller grain size than those of the second magnetic layer.

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 a method of providing a packaging laminate with an identification code the packaging laminate is subjected to a magnetic field, thus magnetising a matrix of magnetic domains in the packaging laminate. Each magnetic domain is made up of a number of the magnetisable particles. A method of identifying a package is also disclosed. The package has walls of a packaging laminate comprising magnetisable particles. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the packaging laminate to a magnetising magnetic field, thus magnetising a matrix of magnetic domains in the packaging laminate, and detecting an emitted magnetic field emitted by the magnetic domains in the matrix. A package having an identification code is also described.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing discrete track media and patterned media is disclosed which enables a magnetic recording layer having excellent magnetic characteristics to be obtained without imparting damage to a crystal orientation control layer which is at the surface when forming the magnetic recording layer. A method for manufacturing magnetic recording media comprises a process of forming a soft magnetic layer on a substrate; a process of forming a first crystal orientation control layer on the soft magnetic layer; a process of providing a depression in at least a portion of the first crystal orientation control layer; a process of forming a second crystal orientation control layer on the first crystal orientation control layer; and a process of forming a magnetic recording layer on the second crystal orientation control layer.

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 perpendicular magnetic recording disk has a soft magnetic underlayer (SUL) that has high corrosion resistance as well as high moment. The material of the SUL is an alloy comprising Co, Fe, X, and Y; where X is Ta or Nb, Y is Zr or Hf, and the combined amount of X and Y present in the alloy is between about 10 and 20 atomic percent. The atomic ratio of Co to Fe in the alloy is between about 90:10 to 10:90, preferably between about 25:75 and 35:65. The SUL may be a single-layer SUL or a multilayer SUL formed of multiple soft magnetic layers separated by an interlayer film or films.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help to provide a discrete track medium for realizing a high track density in a low price by adopting a configuration, in which filling of a non-magnetic material into a guard band portion and smoothing processing of a medium surface are not required. According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, on the non-magnetic substrate, includes at least: a soft magnetic underlayer; a first recording layer including a crystal grain having a magnetic property and a non-magnetic grain boundary having an oxide, as a main component, surrounding the crystal grain; a second recording layer containing a ferromagnetic metal as a main component and not containing an oxide; and at least one non-magnetic layer provided between the first recording layer and the second recording layer.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium a magnetic recording medium includes a soft magnetic layer formed on a substrate, magnetic patterns made of a protruded ferromagnetic layer separated from each other on the soft magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic layer formed between the magnetic patterns, a nitrogen concentration therein being higher on a surface side than on a substrate side.

Abstract: CoCrPtB is a conventional material used in some of the layers of a thin film magnetic media structure used for recording data in data storage devices such as hard drives. Typically the CoCrPtB layers used for magnetic media have high Cr and low B in bottom magnetic layers and low Cr and high B in top magnetic layers. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention and to improve media electrical performance, fifth elements, such as Ta, Nb and Hf, etc. were added to the CoCrPtB materials, resulting in CoCrPtB—X, to enhance the grain segregation. The five element CoCrPtB—X layers were deposited using a pulsed direct current sputter technique instead of conventional direct current sputtering techniques. The resulting magnetic media structure having CoCrPtB—X alloy layers exhibits an increase in coercivity Hc and improvement in recording performance.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium, such as a perpendicular magnetic recording disk, has a magnetic “torque” layer (MTL) that exerts a magnetic torque onto the perpendicular magnetic recording layer (RL) in the presence of the applied perpendicular write field. The MTL thus acts as a write assist layer in reversing the magnetization of the RL. A coupling layer (CL) is located between the MTL and the RL and provides the appropriate ferromagnetic coupling strength between the MTL and the RL.

Abstract: The invention provides a perpendicular recording medium with high recording density, and a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, by improving the function of magnetic anisotropy of a soft magnetic underlayer. The perpendicular recording medium has at least a soft magnetic underlayer and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein when Ku? (erg/cm3) is defined as a perpendicular magnetic anisotropic energy, and Ms (emu/cm 3) is defined as a saturation magnetization of the soft magnetic underlayer, Ku? of the soft magnetic underlayer has a negative value and Ku?<?2?Ms2. As a result, the easy axis of a magnetization of a soft magnetic underlayer is oriented strongly in the substrate surface plane, which is effective to suppress the WATE phenomena and spike noise.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium, a hard disk drive (HDD) employing the same, and a method of measuring a write read (WR) offset of the HDD are provided. The magnetic recording medium includes a disk substrate and a magnetic recording layer formed on one or both surfaces of the disk substrate, wherein the magnetic recording layer comprises: at least one pattern area patterned into a plurality of data tracks wherein the at least one pattern area is formed of a patterned magnetic substance; and at least one continuous area formed of a continuous magnetic substance, wherein the continuous area is used to measure a WR offset. Accordingly, the HDD employing the magnetic recording medium can correct the WR offset of the magnetic head without requiring large modifications.

Abstract: A system for storing information comprises a media including a ferroelectric layer and a passivation layer formed over the ferroelectric layer, and a tip arranged in approximate contact with the passivation layer. The tip detects a polarization signal that corresponds to changes in polarization of domains of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A recording medium for perpendicular magnetic recording, the medium comprising: a magnetically soft underlayer (SUL) having a first crystalline orientation; and a second magnetic film; wherein the second magnetic film is induced to epitaxially grow from the SUL in a second crystalline orientation by controlling the first crystalline orientation.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having a composite magnetic recording structure comprising the combination of a hard magnetic layer and a metamagnetic layer that possesses a field induced metamagnetic transition characteristic at ambient operating temperature. Under an applied external magnetic field, the metamagnetic layer transitions from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state, and the magnetic field induces magnetization of the metamagnetic layer. The hard magnetic recording layer is magnetically exchange coupled to the magnetized metamagnetic layer. This results in the softening of the coercivity of the overall magnetic recording structure and reduction of the required switching field during data recording. Upon removal of the applied magnetic field, the metamagnetic layer experiences transition back to an antiferromagnetic state and the coercivity of the hard magnetic layer is restored.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprises a recording layer including a plurality of regions formed in the depth direction of the recording layer and a magnetic anisotropy constant of a region relatively deeper than another region, among the plurality of regions, is greater than that of the another region. The method of manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes: forming a recording layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; and irradiating the recording layer with ions.

Abstract: A patterned perpendicular magnetic recording medium has discrete magnetic islands, each of which has a recording layer (RL) structure that comprises two exchange-coupled ferromagnetic layers. The RL structure may be an “exchange-spring” RL structure with an upper ferromagnetic layer (MAG2), sometimes called the exchange-spring layer (ESL), ferromagnetically coupled to a lower ferromagnetic layer (MAG1), sometimes called the media layer (ML). The RL structure may also include a coupling layer (CL) between MAG1 and MAG2 that permits ferromagnetic coupling. The interlayer exchange coupling between MAG1 and MAG2 may be optimized, in part, by adjusting the materials and thickness of the CL. The RL structure may also include a ferromagnetic lateral coupling layer (LCL) that is in contact with at least one of MAG1 and MAG2 for mediating intergranular exchange coupling in the ferromagnetic layer or layers with which it is in contact (MAG2 or MAG1).

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a metal thin-film magnetic layer formed on a non-magnetic substrate. The metal thin-film magnetic layer is formed so that the coercivity measured when a magnetic field is applied with an angle of intersection of 120° between the plane of the non-magnetic substrate and magnetic field lines of the magnetic field and the coercivity measured when the magnetic field is applied with the angle of intersection of 60° are both at least 160 kA/m.

Abstract: In this invention, we replace low resistivity NiFe with high-resistivity FeNi for the FL2 portion of a composite free layer in a CIP GMR sensor in order to minimize current shunting effects while still retaining both magnetic softness and low magnetostriction. A process for manufacturing the device is also described.

Abstract: A multilayered ferromagnetic laminate includes a first magnetic film having a cobalt alloy and a second magnetic film having an iron-nitrogen alloy. The films are deposited upon one another and laminated to provide a multilayered film structure having an alternating plurality of the first and second magnetic films. The cobalt alloy may be a cobalt-zirconium-tantalum alloy. The nitrogen is incorporated interstitially in the crystalline structure of the iron of the second magnetic film. The laminate forms the magnetic shields and the write poles of magnetic disk and tape heads. The lamination of the first magnetic film which has high electrically resistive, high mechanical hardness, and high magnetic moment characteristics with the second magnetic film which has lower electrically resistive and very high magnetic moment characteristics yields the laminate which has very high magnetic moment and very hard pole material characteristics and has the ability to write at high frequencies.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having an improved writing property due to the exchange spring effect and capable of stable production. According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium includes a non-magnetic substrate; an adhesion layer; a soft magnetic underlayer; a seed layer; and intermediate layer; a magnetic recording layer at least including a perpendicular recording layer, a writing assist layer, and a magnetic coupling layer disposed between the perpendicular recording layer and the writing assist layer; a protective layer, and a lubrication layer, in which the saturation magnetization of the magnetic coupling layer is lower than the saturation magnetization of the writing assist layer, the saturation magnetization of the magnetic coupling layer is 300 kA/m (300 emu/cc) or lower, and the thickness of the magnetic coupling layer is 1 nm or more and 3 nm or lower.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a template for a high-density patterned medium and a high-density magnetic storage medium using the same. In the method, magnetic particles are used as a mask and no lithographic process is required.

Abstract: A magnetic recording layer is formed on an auxiliary magnetic layer in a perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The auxiliary magnetic layer has the axis of easy magnetization in the vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of a substrate. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium reliably allows establishment of the magnetization in the auxiliary magnetic layer in the vertical direction. When a magnetic flux flows along the vertical direction perpendicular to the surface of the magnetic recording layer, the magnetic flux flows across the magnetic recording layer in the vertical direction. The magnetization is thus reliably established in the magnetic recording layer in the vertical direction. The magnetic field of a stronger intensity is thus leaked out of the magnetic recording layer in the vertical direction.

Abstract: According to an aspect of an embodiment, a recording medium comprises: a recording layer having a surface uneven, for recording information; a fixed lubricant layer disposed on the recording layer, the fixed lubricant layer being arranged so as to cover the surface and having a flat surface; and a fluid lubricant layer laminated on the fixed lubricant layer, the fluid lubricant layer having fluidity.

Abstract: A memory storage device that contains alternating first and second ferromagnetic material layers is provided. Each first ferromagnetic material layer has a first layer thickness (L1) and a first critical current density (JC1), and each second ferromagnetic material layer has a second layer thickness (L2) and a second critical current density (JC2), provided that JC1<JC2, L1 is greater than about 300 nm, and L2 ranges from about 20 nm to about 200 nm. The device further comprises alternating magnetic domains of opposite directions that are separated by domain walls. The magnetic domains and domain walls are movable across the first and second ferromagnetic material layers upon application of a driving current. Correspondingly, data can be stored in the memory storage device as locations of the magnetic domains and domain walls.

Abstract: Example embodiments may provide data storage devices using movement of magnetic domain walls including a first magnetic layer having at least two magnetic domains with determinable magnetization directions, and/or a soft second magnetic layer formed on a lower surface of the first magnetic layer. Magnetic domain walls may be moved even in curved regions of the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: An information storage device includes a magnetic layer and a supply unit. The magnetic layer includes a plurality of regions, a first region having a first magnetic anisotropic energy and a second region having a second magnetic anisotropic energy. The first and second regions are arranged alternately, and the second region is doped with impurity ions. The second magnetic anisotropic energy is less than the first magnetic anisotropic energy. The supply unit applies energy to the magnetic layer for moving magnetic domain walls within the magnetic layer.

Abstract: An information storage device includes a writing magnetic layer including a magnetic domain wall. An information storing magnetic layer is connected to the writing magnetic layer, and includes at least one magnetic domain wall. The information storage device also includes a reader for reading data recorded in the information storing magnetic layer. The connection layer includes a first portion with a first width adjacent to the writing magnetic layer and a second portion with a second width adjacent to the at least one information storing magnetic layer. The first width is less than the second width.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording layer (RL) structure has multiple granular ferromagnetic layers (MAGs) that are separated by ferromagnetic exchange-coupling layers (ECLs) as interlayers between the MAGS. The ECLs provide effective intergranular exchange-coupling in the MAGs. Each MAG is sufficiently thick to support independent recording states that are thermally stable, and does not rely on the overall RL thickness for thermal stability. Each ECL has significant intralayer coupling of its grains. The material of the ECL may be a CoCr alloy, such as a CoCrPtB alloy. The Cr and B in the ECL create sam11 segregation regions or sub-grains in the ECL that are exchange-coupled on a length-scale smaller than the grain size. For each MAG grain, there exist a multitude of magnetic states corresponding to different transition positions in the ECL.

Abstract: Provided are an information storage device using movement of a magnetic domain wall, and methods of manufacturing and operating the information storage device. The information storage device includes a storage track having magnetic domains and a writer for recording data to the storage track, wherein the writer comprises: a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer that is formed to cover a portion of the first magnetic layer and has a smaller magnetic anisotropic energy than the first magnetic layer.

Abstract: A magnetic disk has a soft magnetic underlayer comprising a first layer containing NiFe having a concentration of iron that is at least thirty percent and not more than seventy percent; a second layer that adjoins the first layer and contains FeCoN having a concentration of iron that is greater than the second layer's concentration of cobalt, having a concentration of nitrogen that is less than the second layer's concentration of cobalt and less than three percent; and a third layer containing FeCoNi having a concentration of nickel that is less than eight percent, having a concentration of cobalt that is less than the third layer's concentration of iron and greater than the third layer's concentration of nickel, the third layer adjoining only one of the first and second layers. The first and second layers may be repeated to form a magnetically soft high BS laminate for a disk underlayer.

Abstract: A high field contrast magnetic stamper/imprinter for use in patterning of magnetic and magneto-optical (MO) recording media by contact printing, comprises: (a) a layer of a magnetic material having a high saturation magnetization Bsat?˜1.2 and high permeability ??˜5, including a first, topographically patterned surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first, topographically patterned surface comprising a patterned plurality of spaced-apart recesses with a plurality of non-recessed areas therebetween, the topographical pattern corresponding to a magnetic pattern to be formed in a magnetic or MO recording medium; and (b) a layer of Ni on the second surface. A corrosion-resistant protective overcoat layer may be present on the topographically patterned surface. A method for manufacturing the stamper/imprinter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a first metal thin-film magnetic layer and a second metal thin-film magnetic layer, which respectively include a plurality of columns and have magnetization easy axes that are inclined in opposite directions, formed in that order on a non-magnetic substrate. Both metal thin-film magnetic layers include former growth portions that comprise base end parts of the respective columns and latter growth portions that comprise remaining parts of the respective columns on front-end sides of the columns. The former growth portions are formed by the columns growing in a thickness direction of the non-magnetic substrate. The latter growth portions are formed by the columns growing so as to become inclined to a length of the non-magnetic substrate and arc-shaped in profile.

Abstract: Provided are a method of manufacturing a magnetic layer, a patterned magnetic recording medium including magnetic layers formed using the method, and a method of manufacturing the patterned magnetic recording medium. The method of manufacturing the magnetic layers includes: forming a template provided with an opening; forming a seed layer on a bottom of the opening; and inserting a magnetic material onto the seed layer to form a magnetic layer. The patterned magnetic recording medium includes a lower layer formed on a substrate; a template formed on the lower layer and including a plurality of holes exposing the lower layer; seed layers covering the lower layer exposed through the holes; and magnetic layers formed on the seed layers to fill the holes.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium which allows high density recording and has excellent durability can be obtained. A magnetic recording medium includes: a plurality of ferromagnetic material dots arranged on a soft magnetic layer formed on a non-magnetic substrate so as to be separated from one another; and carbon films which are formed on the respective ferromagnetic material dots, each carbon film having a smooth film face shape in a section passing through the center of each ferromagnetic material dot and a film thickness gradually decreasing from the center of the ferromagnetic material dot toward an outer edge thereof.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording system, comprises: a perpendicular magnetic recording medium including a non-magnetic substrate having a surface and a stacked plurality of thin film layers forming a layer stack overlying the substrate surface and including a magnetically soft underlayer (SUL) beneath at least one perpendicular magnetic recording layer, wherein the SUL has a saturation magnetization (Ms)—thickness (t) product (Mst) less than about 4 memu/cm2, and a ring-type magnetic transducer head is positioned in spaced adjacency to an upper surface of the layer stack.

Abstract: A thin film disk for use in magnetic recording with an underlayer structure that includes a layer of CrMoZr, CrMoNb or CrMoMn is described. The preferred embodiment includes a circumferentially textured glass substrate, a pre-seed layer, a B2 seed layer, an underlayer structure and a magnetic layer stack with a plurality of layers. The preferred underlayer structure has a first underlayer of CrTi followed by a second underlayer of CrMoZr. The preferred B2 seed layer material is RuAl. The preferred pre-seed layer is CrTiAl. The preferred magnetic layer stack is CoCr/CoPtCrB/CoPtCrBCu. The preferred embodiment is useful for longitudinal magnetic recording. The in-plane crystallographic orientation, the Mrt orientation ratio and the media SNR are improved by the inclusion of the CrMoZr, CrMoNb or CrMoMn according to the invention.

Abstract: A master for magnetic transfer is made which comprises a substrate which has on a surface thereof a convex area and a concave area corresponding to servo information and which is constituted of a soft magnetic, and a ferromagnetic which is provided in the concave portion of the substrate, which has a coercive force larger than the external magnetic field for reversing the direction of magnetization of the vertical recording medium, and which has magnetization in a direction opposite to the direction of the external magnetic field.

Abstract: A soft magnetic under layer (SUL) is formed on a non-magnetic substrate by an electroless plating method. The SUL formed by plating is subjected to magnetic field heat treatment on conditions that the heat treatment temperature is 150° C. to 350° C., a magnetic field applied to the substrate has a strength of 50 oersteds (Oe) or more, and the treatment time is selected within a range of five minutes to ten hours. Through the magnetic field heat treatment, magnetic anisotropy is obtained with a difference (?H=Hd?Hc) of 5 oersteds (Oe) or more in terms of absolute value between a magnetization saturation magnetic field strength (Hd) in the in-plane radial direction of a soft magnetic film and a magnetization saturation magnetic field strength (Hc) in the in-plane circumferential direction of the soft magnetic film, and the magnetic anisotropy is symmetric with respect to the axis of the substrate.

Abstract: Magnetic crystalline grains are spaced from each other on a base layer a polycrystalline structure. The magnetic crystalline grains are made of an ordered alloy. The ordered alloy serves to ensure the crystalline magnetic anisotropy energy larger than that of Co alloy in the magnetic crystalline grains. Such crystalline magnetic anisotropy energy reaches over 1×106J/m3, for example. A sufficient magnetic crystalline magnetic anisotropy energy serves to reliably maintain the magnetization in finely structured magnetic crystalline grains. The ordered alloy may have the L10 structure, for example. The ordered alloy may include of Fe50Pt50 (atom %), Fe50Pd50 (atom %), Co50Pt50 (atom %), and the like.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnetic recording media is provided, by which a magnetic recording medium that has a recording layer formed in a concavo-convex pattern, a sufficiently flat surface, and good recording/reproducing properties can be manufactured. The method includes the steps of: depositing a first filling material over a workpiece to cover recording elements formed as convex portions of the concavo-convex pattern, and to fill at least part of a concave portion; depositing a detection material over the first filling material; depositing a second filling material over the detection material; and irradiating a surface of the workpiece with a process gas to flatten the surface. In the flattening step, a component of the detection material removed from and flying off the workpiece is detected to stop the irradiation with the process gas based on a result of detecting the component of the detection material.

Abstract: An information storage medium and an apparatus adopting the information storage medium. The information storage medium includes: a substrate; a lower magnetic layer formed on the substrate; and an upper magnetic layer, the upper magnetic layer includes an alumina layer having cavities formed on the lower magnetic layer and a magnetic material that is formed in the cavities of the alumina layer, which magnetic material contacts the lower magnetic layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording disk is provided. The perpendicular magnetic recording disk includes an underlayer between a substrate and a perpendicular magnetic recording layer for inducing perpendicular orientation of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer, the perpendicular magnetic recording layer having a thickness in the range where the ratio of perpendicular coercivity Hc to maximum perpendicular coercivity Ho decreases with reduced thickness of the perpendicular magnetic recording layer.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a substrate, a seedlayer on the substrate and a magnetic underlayer on the seedlayer, the magnetic underlayer having an easy axis of magnetization substantially directed in a radial or transverse direction, and a process for manufacturing the perpendicular magnetic recording medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of a slider includes forming a first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer, and an antiferromagnetic layer and applying a layer of protective material to proximal ends of those layers that are proximal to the disk surface. The method further includes recessing a proximal end of a non-magnetic metal layer formed on the first ferromagnetic layer from the disk surface to form at least one recessed area. The method also includes filling the recessed area with protective material to a depth such that when the layer of protective material is worn from the ends of the first ferromagnetic layer, the second ferromagnetic layer, and the antiferromagnetic layer by burnishing of the ends by the disk surface, protective material still remains in the recessed area of the non-magnetic metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a perpendicular magnetic recording medium that reduces medium noise and achieves thermal stability of recording magnetization. This perpendicular magnetic recording medium has a substrate and a recording layer formed by single-layered magnetic nanoparticles that are aligned at uniform intervals. An auxiliary magnetic film that is thinner than the recording layer is interposed between the substrate and the recording layer. The magnetization of the magnetic nanoparticles is secured by the exchange interaction effect of the auxiliary magnetic film.