Performance of MP++ and BaFe++ tapes in high density recording applications

Advanced tape recording is mostly dominated by metal particle (MP) media in helical scan analog and digital configurations. In the future, narrow track thin film write/MR read fixed head systems are likely to better satisfy the requirements for fast access and wide throughput combined with high areal densities for low storage cost. For densities above 100 kfci, the present MP tapes are severely limited mostly because of the large particle sizes. The just emerging MP⁺⁺ tapes utilize much smaller particles of higher magnetization and coercivity and offer superior performance. Even higher performance is offered by the advanced Barium Ferrite (BaFe⁺⁺) tapes, which utilize very small particles of high coercivity but, with less than half the magnetization of MP⁺⁺. The highest usable coercivity is limited by write head saturation and the MR read heads diminish the advantage of high magnetization. Double-Coating technology will at the same time provide the magnetic layer thinness and impart a continuing advantage to the particulate media which will be sufficient to retard or even block any potential competition from metal evaporated tapes (ME)