Overview of read/write scheme for perpendicular magnetic recording utilizing single-pole head and double layer media

Head/media parameters of perpendicular magnetic recording to attain areal d ensities of 100-200 Gbits/in(2) were investigated. Shield gap length, mediu m thickness, magnetic spacing, and transition width to realize the required PW50 for the densities were described first. Then. for the derived head/me dium condition, maximum magnetic cluster size of the medium to satisfy medi um noise requirements was predicted from experimental results and a theoret ical noise consideration. Finally, minimum anisotropy energy for the medium to resist thermal signal decay was also considered. Results indicated that magnetic cluster average size, which was defined as magnetically grouped g rains, and media anisotropy fields were to be 10 nm and 19 kOe, respectivel y, in order to attain 200 Gbits/in(2) recording. A new media structure to r esolve the dilemma of media noise and thermal stability was also described. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.