Magnetic force microscopy and spinstand testing of multi-row-per-track discrete bit patterned media fabricated by focused ion beam

Abstract

Multi-row-per-track discrete bit patterned media with interleaved bits have been fabricated on granular perpendicular media disks by focused ion beam and tested by magnetic force microscopy and spinstand tester. It was found that sub-100 nm patterned magnetic islands showed single domain behavior and narrowed switching field distribution. We further demonstrate from captured spinstand readback waveforms the concept of recording two rows of interleaved dot bits as one track. In addition to overcoming the down track patterning resolution limit, the proposed concept patterned media provide many other advantages including higher data rate for read/write, a flexible bit aspect ratio (BAR)≥2 design for better integration with head design and servo control, as well as allowing the use of wider write pole to improve writing efficiency for high density recording.