Demonstration and characterization of 14 Gb/in(2) recording systems

We have successfully demonstrated recording at areal densities as high as 1 4.5 Gb/in(2) at data rates as high as 195 Mbit/s (24.4 MB/s) and at Bit-Asp ect-Ratios (BAR) as high as 14, using merged inductive-write/spin-valve-rea d heads on low noise thin film disks. Recording at a data rate of 300 Mbit/ s (37.5 MB/s) has also been achieved at the corresponding linear density of 356 KBPI. Combining the areal density and data rate capabilities, the feas ibility of recording at the capacity of 15.6 GB per 3.5 " platter rotating at 5400 RPM, with the average data rate of ab;out 240 Mbit/s (30 MB/s), has thus been demonstrated.