Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to creating an identical copy of a source tape cartridge. One aspect of the invention includes copying data contents of a source data storage tape cartridge to a destination data storage tape cartridge. The tape of the source cartridge being formatted by a file system and including at least one metadata block containing data associated with the file system. Data blocks are read from the tape of the source cartridge to a memory buffer, thereby buffering the data blocks. Whether the data blocks read are file system metadata blocks and whether the file system metadata blocks include cartridge-specific and/or cartridge-dependent content is determined. The content is adapted to the destination cartridge, thereby creating consistent file system metadata on the tape of the destination cartridge.

Abstract: A hybrid drive and associated methods increase the rate at which data are transferred to a nonvolatile storage medium in the hybrid drive. By using a large nonvolatile solid state memory device as cache memory for a magnetic disk drive, a very large number of write commands can be cached and subsequently reordered and executed in an efficient manner. In addition, strategic selection and reordering of only a portion of the write commands stored in the nonvolatile solid state memory device increases efficiency of the reordering process.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk medium is pre-formatted on both the surfaces by magnetic transfer. Sectors with the same sector number on the front surface and the rear surface of the magnetic disk medium are arranged at positions shifted by a predetermined angle associated in advance with determination target information.

Abstract: A tape drive device for storing data in a tape cartridge includes a comparison unit that compares a transfer speed of the data transmitted from a host machine to the tape drive device with a speed threshold, a speed determination unit that determines a writing speed to a tape cartridge using the speed threshold, and a data write unit that writes data to the tape cartridge, the data write unit writing data to the magnetic tape provided for the tape cartridge when the determined writing speed is higher than the speed threshold, and the data write unit writing subsequent data following data written to the magnetic tape to the non-volatile semiconductor memory provided for the tape cartridge when the determined writing speed is lower than the speed threshold.

Abstract: A data distribution system and method suitably performing various processing such as suitable distribution of data, control of copying, conversion of signals, charging, and distribution of profits, comprising a reproducing apparatus for reproducing content data to be distributed from a mounted recording medium, a recording apparatus for recording reproduced content data on a mounted recording medium, an examining means for examining types of content data recorded on the recording medium, the recording medium mounted in the reproducing apparatus, the reproducing apparatus, a recording medium mounted in the recording apparatus and the recording apparatus, and a controlling means for controlling a transfer of the content data from the recording medium mounted in the reproducing apparatus to the recording medium mounted in the recording apparatus based on results of the examination.

Abstract: A tape cartridge library that is equipped with a cleaning device is described. The tape cartridge library essentially includes a plurality of tape cartridges each possessing recording tape media. A plurality of tape drives that read and write data to and from each of the tape cartridges. A tape cleaning drive incapable of transferring data to and from the recording tape media which is independent of the tape drives, the tape cleaning drive disposed entirely within the tape cartridge library. The tape cleaning drive automatically receives one of the tape cartridges and cleans its respective recording tape medium when a predetermined reason for cleaning the tape cartridge is justified.

Abstract: SMR disk drives with hybrid E-regions that include a nonvolatile solid state memory E-region in addition to the magnetic media E-regions on disk are described. The memory E-region can be used in operations that will be referred as destaging and/or restaging to sequentialize sets of exception records to reduce the time and energy spent in executing seeks in the disk E-region. The ratio of the size of the solid state memory E-region to the total E-region capacity on the disks can be optimized for selected applications according to the invention using tradeoffs between performance and cost. For example, an embodiment with a memory E-region size that is 10% of the total disk E-region capacity achieves substantial performance enhancement over a disk-only E-region implementation and also results in smaller costs than would be required in a NAND-only memory E-region.

Abstract: SMR disk drives with hybrid E-regions that include a nonvolatile solid state memory E-region in addition to the magnetic media E-regions on disk are described. The memory E-region can be used in operations that will be referred as destaging and/or restaging to sequentialize sets of exception records to reduce the time and energy spent in executing seeks in the disk E-region. The ratio of the size of the solid state memory E-region to the total E-region capacity on the disks can be optimized for selected applications according to the invention using tradeoffs between performance and cost. For example, an embodiment with a memory E-region size that is 10% of the total disk E-region capacity achieves substantial performance enhancement over a disk-only E-region implementation and also results in smaller costs than would be required in a NAND-only memory E-region.

Abstract: A hybrid disk drive transfers a data stream to or from a host at an increased data transfer rate by time-multiplexing the data-carrying capacity of the system bus connecting the host and the disk drive. A portion of the data stream is stored on a non-volatile solid state memory device in the disk drive and a portion is written to a magnetic storage disk. The portion of the data stream written to the storage disk may be written on data tracks that are separated by empty data tracks corresponding to the data stored in the non-volatile solid state memory device.

Abstract: A data archiving apparatus includes an autoloader for automated transfer of data tape cartridges between at least one tape drive and storage locations of at least one cartridge storage magazine. One or more hard disks is mounted within the autoloader apparatus. The hard disk is connected for data transfer between the hard disk and the tape drive so that data caching can be accomplished during the data archiving process. Interface controls for both the tape drive and the one or more hard disks is provided within the housing of the data archiving apparatus to permit simultaneous operation of the hard disk and the tape drive and for data transfer there between. The hard disks may be exchanged by a user to increase data storage capacity.

Abstract: An electron beam writing method for writing a fine pattern that includes servo patterns and groove patterns, the method including the step of adjusting an exposure amount of the resist by changing, when controlling application timing of the electron beam by an ON/OFF signal to a blanking unit that blocks the electron beam, an application duty ratio of the electron beam by the ON/OFF signal with respect to each writing radius position for each pattern based on sensitivity variation data of the resist with respect to post exposure delay for each pattern.

Abstract: A duplication device is provided. When content is duplicated by recording, in a recording medium of a recording destination, the same content as content recorded in a recording medium of a duplication source, even if a reading speed is slower than a writing speed, the duplication device can reduce a duplication time as much as possible. The duplication device 100 reads a reading portion of content from an optical disc D in which content is recorded, and in parallel to this reading, downloads a transmission portion which includes a portion of content other than the reading portion, from a distribution server 200, and records the read reading portion and the downloaded transmission portion in the hard disc 106 at a speed faster than a speed of reading the reading portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving data stored on a peripheral storage device such as a magnetic tape drive or disk drive include string searching using the peripheral storage device resources without transferring data to the requesting host computer and transferring only data blocks with matching data to the associated host computer to conserve host resources and data channel and/or network bandwidth.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic disk medium is pre-formatted on both the surfaces by magnetic transfer. Sectors with the same sector number on the front surface and the rear surface of the magnetic disk medium are arranged at positions shifted by a predetermined angle associated in advance with determination target information.

Abstract: Provided is a storage mechanism that readably migrates a content of data from one recording medium to another over generations in a readable manner and provides the contents of the records from a current recording medium. A read/write controller comprises a mechanism for preparing an archive recording medium of a first generation having a plurality of records recorded therein and a mechanism for migrating the records from the recording medium of the first generation to a recording medium of the next generation (the third generation subsequent to the first generation) and further to recording media of following generations one by one. The migration mechanism generates migration information including a mapping table between record numbers of the first generation and a current generation and holds the migration information as data in the recording medium of the current generation.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer master substrate includes a non-magnetic base having depressed portions formed on a surface thereof corresponding to an information signal array, a ferromagnetic body formed in the depressed portions and having a top portion thereof protruding above the surface of the non-magnetic base, and a non-magnetic protective film covering the surface of the non-magnetic base, except for the depressed portion thereof, and also covering a side portion of the ferromagnetic body. A section through the ferromagnetic body, taken perpendicularly to the substrate, includes a round corner, a curvature of which has a radius of no less than 1 nm and no more than 10 nm. The apex of the top portion of the ferromagnetic body protrudes above the surface of the non-magnetic base by 2 nm or more, and protrudes above the surface of the non-magnetic protective film by a distance less than the radius of the curvature.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium on which servo data is recorded by magnetic transfer recording, the medium includes a data recording area in which data is recorded on a plurality of data tracks extending in form of concentric circles, and a servo area comprising the servo data corresponding to the data tracks. The servo data includes a plurality of burst patterns for tracking detection, which are arranged in a circumferential direction of the data tracks, and the burst patterns comprise a number of recording crests which differs depending on a radial position on the magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer master substrate may have a ferromagnet pattern corresponding to a signal array. The substrate may include a non-magnetic base having depressed portions, formed on a surface thereof, which correspond to the signal array. A ferromagnet may be disposed in the depressed portions and includes a portion protruding above said surface. A section through the portion of the ferromagnet protruding from said surface taken perpendicularly to a surface of the substrate, includes a curved corner, a radius of curvature of which is no less than 2 nm and no more than 10 nm. The ferromagnet protrudes from the surface of the base by a distance no less than 2 nm and no more than 15 nm. A magnetic transfer method may include bringing the master substrate and a magnetic recording medium into contact and applying a magnetic field to record a magnetization pattern.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording medium manufacturing method, it is possible to easily separate a conjoined body without carrying out shape processing in a transfer master in order to separate a conjoined body, and without scratching the magnetic recording medium in a separating step. Moreover, it is possible to mass-produce the magnetic recording medium efficiently without increasing the size of a device. As the central portion of a transfer master is caused to bow convexly in an upward direction, in a condition in which a press receiving surface portion of the transfer master is restrained by a pressing surface of a pressing member, the outer periphery of a magnetic recording medium in a conjoined body is easily separated from a transfer receiving medium contact region of the transfer master in such a way that a predetermined gap is formed.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for managing write operations to an extent of tracks migrated between storage device. An operation is processed to migrate an extent of tracks from the second storage to the first storage. A determination is made as to whether an extent object exists for the extent to migrate. The extent object exists if the extent was previously migrated from the first storage to the second storage at a previous time. The extent object includes for each track a write indicator indicating whether the track was updated in the second storage since the previous time when the extent was previously migrated to the second storage. In response to determining that the extent object exists, a determination is made of the tracks in the extent having the write indicator indicating that the track was updated in the second storage since the previous time. The data for the determined tracks is copied from the second storage to free locations in the first storage.

Abstract: A system and method for magnetic transfer. A magnetic transfer device includes a plurality of pairs of magnetic field generating units that apply a magnetic field to a contact body which includes a master disk in close contact with a magnetic recording medium, wherein the master disk has a pattern of preformatted signals. The magnetic field generating units, falling within a specified length range, are moved in synchrony at a predetermined speed in the directions of the outer periphery while the contact body is caused to rotate by a rotation drive unit. The system and method provide a magnetic transfer method and a magnetic transfer device that, by reducing the area of magnetic field generating units that apply a transfer magnetic field, can reduce an attractive force (or repulsive force) between the magnets, and furthermore, shorten a processing time for the transfer.

Abstract: The content copying system pertaining to the present invention is a content copying system in which multiple devices (11-14) cooperate to copy content to a removable recording medium (31). The first device (11) comprises a writing unit for writing first management data which includes content identifiers (hash1˜hash4) to the removable recording medium (31). A second device (12) storing content pieces (ep2, ep4) copies content pieces (ep2, ep4) corresponding to the content identifiers (hash2, hash4) included in the first management data to the removable recording medium (31). Another second device (13) which has a content piece (ep3) stored thereon copies, to the removable recording medium (31), the content piece (ep3) corresponding to the content identifier (hash 3) written to the removable recording medium (31).

Abstract: A hard disk controller includes a track counter which counts the number of times each of a plurality of tracks included in each of a plurality of disks is accessed and a processing unit which compares each of a plurality of count values obtained by the counting performed by the track counter with an access reference value, and backs up data recorded on at least one of the plurality of tracks. The at least one track has a count value equal to or greater than the access reference value from among the plurality of count values.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a master disk for magnetic transfer is provided in which a pattern configuration does not change and burrs that require a polishing process are not generated. The method of manufacturing a master disk for magnetic transfer can include preparing a nonmagnetic body, forming a pattern of recessed parts on the nonmagnetic body, and forming a ferromagnetic material layer by depositing a ferromagnetic material on a surface of the nonmagnetic body having the pattern of recessed parts thereon. The method can further include forming a pattern of ferromagnetic material layers at the recessed parts by removing an excess portion of the ferromagnetic layer without using a mask. An etching rate of the nonmagnetic body can be larger than an etching rate of the ferromagnetic material layer in the operation of forming a pattern of ferromagnetic material layers at the recessed parts.

Abstract: A method of magnetic transfer, including placing a first medium in contact with a second medium, pressing the first and second media together to form an adhered body, applying a magnetic field to the adhered body, and moving the magnetic field relatively to the adhered body, so as to transfer information from the first medium to the second medium. Then the monitoring of the adhered body is performed to detect existence of an air bubble between the first and second media.

Abstract: Provided is a tape recorder that has a tape including at least one partition and that controls access to the tape. The tape recorder includes: means for identifying a position of data on the tape; means for sequentially reading necessary data areas in the data; means for sequentially copying the necessary data areas to the beginning of an empty area on the tape; means for creating a continuous front empty area formed of unnecessary data areas and copy source areas of the necessary data areas on the tape; and means for moving a beginning of the partition (BOP) to a position immediately after the front empty area and for updating the position information on the beginning of the partition.

Abstract: A master disk for magnetic transfer of a reference servo signal in a spiral mode, having a pattern including a plurality of dots groups, which are disposed at different radial positions of the master disk with a first pitch, and correspond to the reference servo signal in the spiral mode. Each of the plurality of dot groups includes a plurality of dots, successively disposed with a second pitch along a circumferential direction of the master disk at a same one of the radial positions. Each of the plurality of dots is of a ferromagnetic material, and has four sides, two opposing sides thereof extending in the circumferential direction, and the other two opposing sides thereof extending in a radial direction of the master disk.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer device and method are provided. A magnetic field generating structure comprises a pair of permanent magnets connected to a return yoke. Respective magnetic poles of the magnets, of a different polarity from one another, oppose each other with a conjoined body disposed therebetween. The magnetic field generating structure is moved from a position at an outer periphery of the conjoined body, to a position at an inner periphery of the conjoined body, and then moved from the position at the inner periphery across the conjoined body toward the outer periphery, to a position outside of the conjoined body. The return yoke is positioned at a radially more outward position, toward the outer periphery, than are the permanent magnets. The movement of the magnetic field generating structure is carried out while maintaining a constant distance from the rotating conjoined body.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method includes a conjoined body formation step of stacking a transfer master storing transfer information on a transfer receiving body. Air between contact surfaces of the transfer master and transfer receiving body is pushed out in the direction of a non-pressurized area by pressurizing the stacked transfer master and transfer receiving body, to form the conjoined body. The method further includes a transfer step of, by bringing a magnetic field generating module close to the conjoined body, and applying a magnetic field, carrying out a magnetic transfer of the transfer information from the transfer master to the transfer receiving body. A surface roughness of smooth portions of the transfer master in which no transfer information is formed, and the surface roughness of the transfer receiving body, is 1 nm or less.

Abstract: A plurality of digital hard disc drives (201 and 209) are provided (101) that are intended to each receive precisely identical digital cinematic content. One of these digital hard disc drives is identified (102) as a primary source module (202) and a determination (103) then made regarding which of a single pass and a dual pass write process to use to write the digital cinematic content from the primary source module to each remaining one of the plurality of digital hard disc drives. This selected write process is then used (104) to write the digital cinematic content to each remaining one of the plurality of digital hard disc drives.

Abstract: A method for recovering data from a failed tape cartridge is presented. The reliability of a tape cartridge is assessed via the number of read errors encountered. If the number or read errors is excessive, the tape cartridge is deemed unreliable and the tape cartridge is restricted from storing anymore data. A search is performed to look for duplicate data and if found a copy of the duplicate data is stored to a replacement tape cartridge. The replacement tape cartridge assumes all identity of the original failed tape cartridge.

Abstract: A method for maintaining paired data between tape cartridges and linking the paired data to through medium auxiliary memory devices is presented. One method includes providing a first tape cartridge possessing a first medium auxiliary memory device and a first tape medium and a second tape cartridge possessing a second medium auxiliary memory device and a second tape medium. Data maintained on the first tape medium can be copied to the second tape medium. A first record can be stored on the first medium auxiliary memory device indicating that data on the first tape medium was copied to the second tape medium. Likewise, a second record can be stored on the second medium auxiliary memory device indicating that data on the second tape medium originated from the first tape medium.

Abstract: A method and system for manipulating a spin state of each disk in a drive array is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring input/output (I/O) requests to each disk drive in a disk array and identifying any disk drive as an inactive disk drive based on a number of I/O requests directed to said any disk drive for a given time interval. The method further includes moving data from the inactive disk drive to an active disk drive having a free disk space to store the data and updating metadata associated with the data using a log-structured file system for the disk array. Further, the method includes manipulating a spin state of the inactive disk drive by spinning down the inactive disk drive to conserve power. Furthermore, the method includes redirecting subsequent I/O requests for the inactive disk drive to the active disk drive by accessing the metadata of the log-structured file system.

Abstract: Aiming to suitably balance, when backing up data to a magnetic tape, search time and writing/reading performance depending on the purpose of the backup, provided is a disk array apparatus including a disk device having hard disks, a magnetic tape device including a magnetic tape to which data to be backed up is written, and a control unit performing writing and reading processings of data between the disk device and the magnetic tape device. The control unit includes an FM (file mark) interval managing unit which receives a purpose of use when backing up the data on the magnetic tape, and from FM intervals which is held in association with the purpose of use thus received and which indicates an interval of recording FMs on the magnetic tape, acquires an FM interval corresponding to the purpose of use thus received, and transmits the acquired FM interval to the control unit.

Abstract: In a virtual disk library device access of data stored in a tape can be conducted at a high speed with a high-speed archiving process from a disk to the tape in units of LUs maintained. The efficiency of update of the data stored in the tape can be improved. In this system, when the data stored in the tape is to be accessed with a high-speed archiving process in units of LUs from the disk to the tape maintained, a disk staging process is performed in the unit of a page that is smaller than the unit of an LU, and accordingly, high-speed access can be implemented. In addition, when an update process for the data (LU) stored in the tape is performed, the host can be responded by only staging an update target page of the LU, and a prior disk staging process is performed for the remaining pages of the LU in the background. Accordingly, when the data is re-stored in the tape, immediately storing the data in the tape can be performed without performing a staging process.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer device enables precise positioning of both disks while preventing generation of dust by sliding of a holder, and also secures a space for transfer magnet arrangement. A master disk on which is formed a magnetic signal pattern and a magnetic disk which is to receive transfer are accommodated and brought into close contact in opposition to each other within an interior space formed by a male-side holder which moves to approach and withdraw and a female-side holder. A plurality of positioning pins are brought into contact with the outer face of the male-side holder to position the male-side holder, and by installing the positioning pins at positions lower than both the master disk and the magnetic disk, dust generated by sliding of the positioning pins does not fall onto the face of the master disk or the magnetic disk.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for implementing a storage system. The storage system may include a disk array having a disk drive pair which includes a solid-state disk drive and a hard disk drive. The method may include the step of copying a data subset of a data set from the hard disk drive to a spare solid-state disk drive during a solid-state disk drive rebuild process. The data subset includes a first amount of data and the data set includes a second amount of data, where the first amount of data is less than the second amount of data. The method may further include the step of receiving a read request from a host server requesting the data subset. The method further includes the step of directing the read command to the spare solid-state disk drive. The method may further include the step of, prior to completion of copying of the data set from the hard disk drive to the spare solid-state disk drive, reading the data subset from the spare solid-state disk drive based upon the read command.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer master carrier to be placed on a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, including: a concavo-convex pattern corresponding to magnetic information to be transferred to the medium by application of a magnetic field, wherein a length (La) of a convex portion in the concavo-convex pattern and a length (Sa) of a space between the convex portion and another convex portion adjacent to the convex portion satisfy 1.3?(Sa/La)?1.9, and wherein a cycle length (La+Sa) is in the range of 50 nm to 145 nm, where the length (La) is the width of the convex portion with respect to a circumferential direction measured at a height equivalent to 50% of the height of the convex portion, and the length (Sa) is the width of the space with respect to the circumferential direction measured at the height equivalent to 50% of the height of the convex portion.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer master carrier including a base material having, in its surface, convex portions arranged correspondingly to a pattern of information to be recorded on a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic layer having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, the layer being provided on top and side surfaces of the convex portions, wherein the magnetic transfer master carrier forms a magnetic field pattern corresponding to the pattern of the information when a magnetic field is applied thereto.

Abstract: A data storage device includes: a recording medium that has two or more system data recording areas where system data are recorded on a multiple basis, and a user data recording area where user data is recorded; a head that writes and reads data into and from the recording medium; and a system data update control section that causes the head to update the system data on the recording medium. The system data update control section causes the head to record new system data on a multiple basis in another sub-record area that is alternately selected at each update to the new system data over the two or more system data recording areas when each the two or more system data recording areas is divided into two sub-record areas, and read the new system data from the another sub-record area to confirm that the new system data is recorded correctly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic transfer master carrier which forms a magnetic pattern corresponding to a pattern of information to be recorded on a perpendicular magnetic recording medium when a magnetic field is applied to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, with the magnetic master carrier and the perpendicular magnetic recording medium closely attached to each other, the carrier including: a base material having convex portions on its surface, the convex portions being provided corresponding to the pattern of information; a magnetic layer deposited on at least top surfaces of the convex portions, and having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy; and a soft magnetic layer deposited on the surface of the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A production method of a magnetic transfer master carrier, the method including forming an imprint resist layer on a surface of a magnetic layer of a laminate which includes a first base material and the magnetic layer laminated thereon; forming a resist pattern, following shapes of concave portions of a mold, on the surface of the magnetic layer by pressing the concave portions against the imprint resist layer; and forming magnetic convex portions on the first base material by removing the mold from the imprint resist layer and then etching a surface of the magnetic layer which surface has no resist pattern, wherein the mold includes a second base material and the concave portions formed by etching a surface of the second base material so as to correspond to a pattern of information to be recorded on a magnetic recording medium

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method including initially magnetizing a disc-shaped perpendicular magnetic recording medium by applying, to the recording medium in a circumference direction, a magnetic field whose direction is inclined at an angle within a range of ±50° with respect to a perpendicular line (0°) to the medium surface, closely attaching a concavo-convex pattern of a magnetic transfer master carrier to the recording medium, and transferring magnetic information to the magnetic layer of the medium by applying a magnetic field to the recording medium and the master carrier closely attached to each other, wherein the concavo-convex pattern includes transfer portions on which surfaces a magnetic layer corresponding to the magnetic information is laid, and non-transfer portions which are concave portions, and wherein the magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, a residual magnetization Mr of 500 emu/cc or lower, and a saturation magnetization Ms of 900 emu/cc or higher.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer master carrier of the present invention includes a base material having convex portions on its surface, the convex portions being provided corresponding to a pattern of information to be recorded on a perpendicular magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic layer deposited at least on top surfaces of the convex portions, wherein when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic transfer master carrier, the magnetic layer absorbs a magnetic flux so as to form a pattern of the magnetic field, wherein the magnetic layer includes at least two perpendicular magnetic anisotropic layers, and an antiferromagnetic coupling induction layer which is provided so as to be sandwiched in between two neighboring layers of all the perpendicular magnetic anisotropic layers, and to induce antiferromagnetic coupling therebetween.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic transfer master carrier obtained by forming a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy magnetic layer over a surface of an original master which has a concavo-convex pattern, placing a base material against the formed perpendicular magnetic anisotropy magnetic layer, and separating the base material.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer method including initially magnetizing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium by applying a DC magnetic field thereto in a perpendicular direction, and applying, to the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, a DC magnetic field for 100 nsec to 1 sec in an opposite direction to the magnetic field applied in initial magnetization with the recording medium being closely attached to a magnetic transfer master carrier which transfers magnetic information to the recording medium with being brought into contact with the recording medium, wherein the master carrier includes transfer portions on which surfaces a magnetic layer corresponding to magnetic information is laid, and non-transfer portions which are concave portions lower in height than the transfer portions, and wherein the magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and has a residual magnetization Mr of 500 emu/cc or lower and a saturation magnetization Ms of 900 emu/cc or higher.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer apparatus and method includes air supply for supplying air into a space above a peripheral portion of a double-sided slave disc beyond a second master disc in an air-tight chamber formed when a first disc holder holding a first master disc and the slave disc in contact and a second disc holder holding the second master disc are brought into contact with each other so as to hold and sandwich the slave disc between the first and second master discs, the air supply being controlled to take place at least either during formation of the air-tight chamber or during opening the air-tight chamber.

Abstract: A master carrier for magnetic transfer includes a transfer portion on which a magnetic layer corresponding to magnetic information for transfer is formed, and a non-transfer portion forming a concave shape relatively low with respect to the transfer portion having the magnetic layer, wherein the magnetic layer of the transfer portion has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, with residual magnetization Mr of 500 emu/cc or less, and saturation magnetization Ms of 900 emu/cc or more. CoPt can be used as a material of the magnetic layer, and use of Co4Pt1 (at %) is especially preferable. Thereby, a master carrier for magnetic transfer which can generate a high magnetic field capable of transfer of a short bit to a high density medium is provided.