Patterned Media for 10 Tb/in $^2$ Utilizing Dual-Section “Ledge” Elements

A dual-layer patterned element magnetic recording medium design is presented that is expected to satisfy areal densities at 10 Tb/in ². Each element consists of a small high anisotropy initial layer on top of which is deposited on an exchange-coupled soft layer of approximately equal thickness that extends in the recording direction almost to an adjacent element. This design has two distinct advantages. Reversal by precessional switching will occur for realistic record head field rise times (100-200 ps). Thermal stability for such small elements is maintained by hard section anisotropy fields that are an order of magnitude larger than the reversal field. Here, reversal mechanisms and system design are discussed in detail.