Recording properties of patterned Co₇₀Pt₁₈Cr₁₂ perpendicular media

Abstract

Patterning magnetic media with pre-defined, single-domain magnetic bits is one possible candidate for extending magnetic storage densities beyond the limit set by thermal decay for continuous media. In order to study the writing and read-back characteristics of high density patterned media, prototype nanometer-scale magnetic structures were made by patterning Co70Cr18Pt12 perpendicular medium using a focused ion beam (FIB) of Ga+. The islands have lateral size of 80 nm and have a 103 nm along track period. For comparison, we have also used the FIB to prepare isolated narrow strips of continuous media. The recording properties of the patterned and unpatterned media were evaluated using a static write/read tester.