Longitudinal magnetic recording media with thermal stabilization layers

We introduce promising longitudinal recording media with enhanced thermal s tability compared to conventional media. The media consist of one or more m agnetic layers disposed between the recording layer and the underlayer with the magnetization direction of the layers being antiparallel to the adjace nt layer or layers. Antiferromagnetic coupling is induced through a thin Ru layer between the Co-based magnetic layers. Comparison with conventional m edia with the same remanence magnetization and thickness product reveals im proved thermal stability and read-write properties for the proposed media. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)04742-2].