GIGABIT-DENSITY MAGNETIC RECORDING

In this paper we start with a tutorial on the principles of magnetic r ecording. We outline the dramatic rate of areal density increase for t he past thirty years as well as the principal technological changes be hind such sustained progress. We then explore the general issues invol ved in gigabit-density recording and the features that are common to b oth IBM's and Hitachi's gigabit efforts. We then focus on the principa l recording components, namely the recording head and the medium, and discuss the challenges in designing, optimizing, and realizing them fo r gigabit-density applications. This will be followed by a review of t he performance of gigabit recording configurations from both IBM and H itachi. We conclude with remarks on the performance limitations of the se gigabit configurations and the prospects for further areal density extensions in magnetic recording.